Rwanda, like many countries, faces a variety of natural disasters that are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. A disaster risk hotspots assessment by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) in 2024 revealed that, out of 326 disaster risk hotspots identified, 41 per cent of them described as having high and very high risk. ALSO READ: Eight family members perish in Gakenke landslides In these hotspots, more 31,000 people and more than 70 elements of infrastructure are at risk. Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, schools, hydroelectric power plants, health facilities, agricultural farms, and markets. The report, seen by The New Times, shows 1,495 disaster incidents in 2024, which killed 191 people and injured 448 others. ALSO READ: Rwanda's lightning hotspots: Why some areas are more prone to strikes Over 2,000 houses, 1,355 hectares of crops, 306 hectares of forests, 69 road sections, 42 bridges, 34 transmission lines, and three water supply systems were damaged. More than 3,000 livestock were killed. The New Times breaks down the list of 10 disasters and their effects in numbers, according to the report. Strong wind In 2024, the country recorded 1,496 disaster incidents, of which 388 were strong wind incidents. The report shows that the winds damaged 1,237 houses, 47 hectares of crops, 71 classrooms, 10 churches, seven administrative offices, and 24 transmission lines, killing one person and injuring 30. Lightning ALSO READ: Lightning kills two, injures 8 schoolchildren Rwanda recorded 206 lightning incidents, which killed 81 people and injured 216 others. Lightning also killed 114 livestock, damaged 17 houses, and affected three transmission lines. House collapse The report indicates that there were 231 house collapse incidents, which killed 17 people and injured 46. At least 78 houses were completely destroyed, while 283 houses were damaged. Landslides The report shows that 111 landslide incidents were recorded, killing 14 people and injuring six. These incidents destroyed 28 houses and damaged 95 houses, 47 hectares of crops, 43 road sections, three classrooms, three bridges, two water supply systems, and three transmission lines. Heavy rains According to the report, the country faced 111 heavy rain incidents, which killed three people and injured 18. Twenty houses were destroyed, and 139 houses were damaged. Additionally, 156 hectares of crops, four road sections, and 18 bridges were affected. Hailstorms MINEMA reported 10 hailstorm incidents that damaged 923 hectares of crops. Flooding The report highlights 59 flood incidents, which killed 12 people and injured 25. These floods also damaged 147 hectares of crops, 19 road sections, 21 bridges, and three transmission lines. ALSO READ: Floods, landslides paralyse transport in some districts Fires There were at least 227 fire incidents, which killed 14 people and injured 84 others. These incidents also damaged 208 houses, three classrooms, three factories, and three administrative offices. Wildfires There were 108 wildfire incidents, which damaged 32 hectares of crops and 303 hectares of forests. Mine disasters The report mentions 40 mine disasters that killed 49 people and injured 47. Most affected districts The report shows that Gakenke, Burera, Gasabo, Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Muhanga, Kicukiro, Ngororero, Nyamasheke, Nyanza, Nyarugenge, Ruhango, Rulindo, Rusizi, and Rutsiro districts recorded a large number of incidents.
