Three people were killed and three others were injured on Friday following heavy rains that have hit several parts of Rwanda, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) said.
MINEMA added that 215 houses, three roads and six bridges and 66.3 hectares of crops and vegetation were destroyed in the deluge.
This is the latest incident in which the heavy rains have resulted in death and destruction. On April 21, 12 people were killed and property of unknown value was destroyed in a heavy downpour.
Last month, the Rwanda Meteorology Agency (RMA) issued a forecast warning of above-average rainfall during the long rain season. Citizens were urged by MINEMA to take extra caution and check the conditions of their houses and roofs and avoid water bodies during the rain.
“The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MINEMA), urges all people to continue to take care and avoid disasters in these times of heavy rains that are life threatening, damaging various resources and infrastructure,” MINEMA said on Twitter.
Countrywide, floods, rainstorms, lightning and landslides have been identified as the major causes of the death and destruction across the country.
Rwanda is not the only country in East Africa to suffer from heavy rains this year. At least 18 people were killed and property of unknown value was destroyed recently following flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in parts of western Kenya.
Last month, at least 3,500 houses and 6,600 hectares of farms were swept away by flash floods in one week caused by rains in Tanzania’s Rufiji district in the Coast region.
