For Speciose Nayihoranye, a resident of Murambi Village in Nyamasheke District in Western Province, a darkening sky is a signal to check her home’s defenses. Living on a steep slope means that heavy downpours pose a constant risk of landslides and flooding, making preparation a necessary part of her daily routine.
"Because my home sits on a steep, high-altitude slope, I dug several drainage channels to control runoff,” Nayihoranye said. She began the work last month after a local safety campaign.
"The amount of water flowing down the hill is massive, so these drainages are crucial for protection,” she added.
Her efforts come as the Rwanda Meteorology Agency (MeteoRwanda) forecasts heavy rainfall of 90–110mm over a 10-day period starting January 21, particularly in districts such as Nyamasheke.
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To mitigate the risk of loss of life and property damage, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) and local leaders have launched an awareness campaign focusing on household and community protection.
Gaspard Hungurimana, the Village Chief of Murambi in Nyamasheke District, spends his days ensuring this message reaches every household.
As the leader of a community in the Gasovu Cell of Karambi Sector, he views disaster preparedness as a structured, daily duty.
"Our approach is structured around directives from higher authorities, which we translate into actionable community outreach,” he explained. "We utilize village assemblies and door-to-door visits to sensitize residents on disaster preparedness.”
During this rainy season, the village leadership encourages homeowners to reinforce roofing and warn residents against seeking shelter under trees during storms.
Hungurimana noted that safety briefings are integrated into monthly community work (Umuganda), the weekly Citizens’ Assembly (Inteko y’Abaturage) every Tuesday, and the 'Parents' Evening' (Umugoroba w’Umuryango) every Thursday.
Nayihoramye observes that while many cannot afford to relocate immediately, they are doing what they can to protect their current dwellings.
"If you live in a windy area, securing your roof is a practical way to minimize damage,” she said, "For everyone else, prevention is a personal responsibility.”
The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has reinforced these local efforts with a national public advisory.
The Ministry warns that heavy rains can trigger a range of disasters, including landslides, floods, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hailstorms.
ALSO READ: Nyabihu, Ngororero to see heaviest mid-January rains
According to MINEMA, these events lead to more than just property damage; they cause loss of life, injuries, and the destruction of essential infrastructure and crops.
Call for residents to exercise caution
The Ministry advises residents to exercise extreme caution around buildings showing signs of imminent collapse.
This includes older structures, houses without proper foundations, and those situated at the base of steep slopes. Visible cracks or structural fissures in walls should be treated as immediate warning signs to vacate.
Residents are urged to be cautious when crossing bridges or drainage channels. Parents are specifically asked to supervise children commuting to school, ensuring they avoid aging bridges or areas prone to sudden flooding, according to MINEMA.
"When driving in heavy rain, motorists are advised to reduce speed significantly to maintain control,” MINEMA noted.
To prevent lightning-related tragedies, the Ministry recommends unplugging electrical appliances during storms. They also advise people to stay indoors and avoid touching metal objects.
According to MINEMA, each district is required to proactively assist and encourage residents to implement these safety measures based on their specific regional risks.
"Districts are tasked to facilitate temporary evacuations for households in high-risk zones to save lives while long-term relocation efforts continue,” MINEMA highlighted in a public advisory.
Chief Hungurimana explained that victims are often provided with emergency shelter in local schools or hosted by neighbors.
"The state supplies essential relief items, including food and bedding,” he said, adding that the government assists the most vulnerable in securing new land plots or roofing materials and organizes community labor to help rebuild their homes.