Weather agency predicts strong winds in the next five days
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
One of the 256 houses that were destroyed by strong winds in Kirehe district. Strong wind speed ranging between 8 and 10 metres per second is expected in some parts of the country up to March 20. Courtesy

Strong wind speed ranging between 8 and 10 metres per second is expected in some parts of the country up to March 20, according to Rwanda Meteorology Agency.

ALSO READ: Strong winds destroy over 200 houses in Kirehe.

According to the weather office, the wind speed is expected to fracture in different parts of the country.

"Rainfall ranging between 40 and 160 millimetres is expected across the country,” said the forecast.

The expected rainfall amount will be above the range of long-term average of rain across the country.

The range of Long-Term Mean (LTM) varies between 20 and 60 mm.

Long-Term Mean (LTM) means occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time.

ALSO READ: Two children dead after flooding.

The highest amount of rainfall during the five days is expected to range between 140 and 160 mm over parts of Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Nyamagabe Districts located in Nyungwe National Park and a few isolated parts of Rutsiro and Rubavu Districts.

The remaining parts of Western Province, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe Districts are expected to record rainfall ranging between 100 and 140 mm.

The rainfall ranging between 40 and 60 mm is the lowest amount expected over Bugesera District and a few parts of Amayaga region, Nyagatare, Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma and Kigali city.

The rest of the country is expected to record rainfall ranging between 60 and 100 mm.

A hailstorm across different parts of the country last week destroyed over 200 hectares of crops in various districts.

ALSO READ: Forecaster warns of floods in parts of the country.

Two children were also reported dead after a flood in Kabarondo sector, Kayonza District.

At least 41 houses, classrooms in two schools, and one church were damaged in Rubavu district.

One house collapsed and injured five people.

Three of the victims were rushed to a health centre and others to Gisenyi hospital.

Africa hit by climate change

Elsewhere in the region, Cyclone Freddy is reported to have killed hundreds in Malawi and Mozambique

More than 100 people have been killed in what is shaping up to be the longest-lasting tropical storm on record, authorities said Monday.

Malawi bore the brunt, counting at least 99 deaths after mudslides washed away houses and sleeping occupants on Sunday night. Malawi's commercial capital Blantyre recorded 85 deaths.

Another 134 people were injured and 16 are reported missing.