April rains trigger flooding at Nyabarongo I hydropower plant
Tuesday, April 02, 2024
A view of a flooded Ngororero-Muhanga road at Cyome bridge, after heavy rains that disrupted travel in the region on April 1. Courtesy

During the month of April, rainfall ranging between 100 millimetres and 300 millimetres is expected across the country according to Rwanda Meteorology Agency.

Heavy downpours on April 1 inundated the Nyabarongo I Hydropower plant, causing a spill that blocked the Ngororero-Muhanga road, disrupting travel in the region.

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"We would like to inform the public that due to heavy rains in Gatumba sector, Ngororero District, the levee has broken at Nyabarongo I Hydropower plant, causing flooding that has made the road Ngororero-Muhanga temporarily closed to traffic. We will update you as water levels subside," Police said in a communique on Monday, April 1.

Additionally, heavy rains on Monday led to the destruction of a bridge in Murambo sector, Karongi District, halting trade between Karongi and Muhanga Districts and blocking the Ruhango-Karongi-Kirinda road.

ALSO READ: Nyabarongo floods continue to put road transport at risk

According to weather forecasts, April's rainfall is anticipated to be slightly above the long-term average in western parts of the country and within the long-term average range in other regions.

The forecast predicts higher rainfall ranging between 260 and 300 millimeters in eastern parts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke, the western part of Nyamagabe, and the northern parts of Rutsiro, Musanze, and Burera Districts.

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In other areas, rainfall ranging between 220 and 260 millimeters is expected in the remaining parts of the Western Province, remaining sections of Musanze and Burera Districts, the western part of Nyaruguru, central part of Nyamagabe, and the northern parts of Gakenke District.

The lowest rainfall, ranging between 100 and 140 millimeters, is expected in eastern parts of Kigali City, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Kirehe, Ngoma, and Bugesera Districts.

The wind speed distribution map for April indicates moderate to strong wind speeds ranging between six and eight meters per second over Western Province, western parts of Nyamagabe, Ngororero, Nyabihu, and Musanze, as well as many parts of Gicumbi, Burera, Rulindo, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, and Kirehe Districts.

ALSO READ: How are districts with likely heavy rain preparing for looming floods?

Meanwhile, moderate wind speeds ranging between four and six meters per second are expected in other areas.

In terms of temperature, the mean maximum temperature for April is forecasted to range between 18°C and 28°C, marking a decrease compared to March 2024.

The highest maximum temperatures, ranging between 26°C and 28°C, are expected in many parts of Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Bugesera, western parts of Ngoma, eastern parts of Nyagatare, Kayonza, and Gatsibo Districts, Bugarama plain, and the northeastern part of Gisagara District.

Conversely, the lowest maximum temperatures, ranging between 18°C and 20°C, are expected in the eastern part of Rubavu, many parts of Nyabihu, northern parts of Musanze and Burera Districts, localized parts of Ngororero, and western parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts.