Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente attended a burial ceremony for the victims killed by landslides and floods of the Sebeya River in Rubavu District.
The burial ceremony of the 13 victims took place at Rugerero Cemetery.
ALSO READ: Over 100 dead as rain ravages Northern, Western provinces
Heavy rains in the northern, western, and southern provinces of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday claimed at least 130 lives as of Thursday morning, May 4, while 77 people were injured and 36 were hospitalised. Five people were still missing.
The most affected districts include Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze, and Nyamagabe.
ALSO READ: Flood disaster: Kagame says "personally following up" on response effort
Ngirente delivered a message of condolence from President Paul Kagame to the bereaved families and thanked the residents who intervened first-hand to rescue and support their neighbours.
"He [Kagame] sympathises with you and wants you to know that the government is doing everything possible to help you,” Ngirente said.
The government has put in place a new command centre that is actively coordinating emergency response, including evacuation and temporary relocation of residents from affected and high-risk areas while the rains are ongoing.
First aid response
The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management said they started providing critical aid to those in need. The support is in the form of shelter, food, among other essential supplies.
The initial first aid response provided includes a total of 60 tonnes of relief supplies (30 tonnes of maize flour and 30 tonnes of beans). In addition to these critical food items, basic necessities such as hygiene supplies and kitchen materials have also been provided to those affected.
On May 2, Rwanda Meteorology Agency released a weather forecast stating that the first 10 days of May 2023 are expected to be wetter than usual with rainfall ranging between 50 and 200 mm, over many parts of the country, while the remaining days are expected to record rainfall within the usual range across the country.