Storm destroys 30 houses in Rwanda's Nyagatare as rainy season intensifies

Heavy rain and strong winds destroyed about 30 houses in Rwanda's Nyagatare District on Monday, September 21, leaving dozens of families without shelter. The storm hit the Nyagatare and Rukomo sectors and also damaged one classroom at Cyonyo Primary and Secondary School, while some families lost foodstuff, bedding and other household belongings.

Resident Straton Kamugundu said many affected families cannot afford to repair or rebuild. "The rain came unexpectedly. At first, it looked like it was not much, but it came with strong winds. Before we knew it, we saw roofs being blown away," he said, adding that the community was asking for support to repair the houses.

Nyagatare Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs Juliet Murekatete said the district immediately set up a joint team of district and sector officials that visited affected residents and helped them find temporary accommodation with neighbours, and returned on Tuesday to document the damage and identify urgent needs including roofing sheets. She urged residents to secure and reinforce their roofs as the rainy season has started.

The Rwanda Meteorology Agency forecasts 300 to 1,000 millimetres of rainfall during the September-December season, above the long-term average of 279 to 962 millimetres. Close to 100 houses have been destroyed or damaged by storms since early September, including 64 houses and 10 classrooms hit on September 13 in Kayonza, Rwamagana, Gatsibo, Rulindo, Ngoma, Nyamasheke and Ngororero. Meteo Rwanda has warned the country could see heavy rains and windstorms similar to those recorded in May 2023, when floods and landslides killed 136 people and damaged infrastructure across the northwestern region.