At least 118 disaster-related incidents were recorded from March 1 to 15 claiming 11 lives and injuring 48 people, a report by The Ministry in charge of emergency management shows. The report also indicates that during the mentioned period, there were 14 cases of fire, seven flood incidences, one hailstorm, two cases of house collapse, one landslide, 35 cases of lightning, 24 rainstorm cases and 34 cases of windstorm were recorded. ALSO READ: Forecaster warns of floods in parts of the country The disasters killed 53 livestock and damaged 335 houses, 42 hectares of crops, 19 classrooms, two road sections, one church, eight bridges, two administrative offices, two transmission lives and one factory. The most affected districts include Burera, Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Huye, Kayonza, Muhanga, Ngororero, Nyagatare, Nyanza, Nyarugenge, Nyaruguru, Rulindo, and Rubavu. Over 162 houses were damaged in Rubavu district while 40 were damaged in Nyamagabe, the report shows. Lightning injures 35 people Windstorm injured 10 people while lightning killed seven people and injured 35. “People should seek shelter inside houses instead of staying in water during heavy rain. Harvesting rainwater during heavy rain is also not advised,” says the warning by the ministry in charge of emergency management. Using mobile phones and seeking shelter under trees during storm is also risky, adds the warning. Unplugging electronic devices and keeping distance from towers and metal fences are also recommended to reduce lightening-induced deaths. ALSO READ: Lightning kills two, injures 8 schoolchildren Although the disasters cases in the report are from March 1 to March 15, on March 16 lightning also sister and brother were also stricken by lightning in Tumba sector of Huye district. The 24-year old teacher at GS Cyarwa who was about to marry instantly died. The same day in Rusizi district, lightning killed two people who were attending the wedding. Fortunately, a baby who was being carried out by one of the victims survived. Lightning also injured one person and damaged his house in Huye district on the same date. Other recommendations include rainwater harvesting and drainage to curb flooding and strengthening ceilings to avoid damages caused by strong wind. ALSO READ: Weather agency predicts strong winds in the next five days Rainfall below 300mm (which is the lowest) is expected in the eastern parts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts and a small portion of southern part of Kirehe district. The rainfall between 300-400mm is expected over most parts of Eastern Province in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts and southern parts of Kirehe district; Kicukiro district, southern parts of Gasabo, and eastern parts of Nyarugenge district. Rainfall between 400-500mm is expected in most parts of the Northern, Southern, and Western Provinces. It is expected also in western parts of Nyarugenge and in north-western parts of Gasabo district. ALSO READ: Over 600 disaster cases recorded in four months The rainfall, which is the highest, between 500-600mm is expected in southern parts of Nyaruguru district, in Musanze and most parts Burera districts. It is also expected over northern parts of Nyabihu and Gakenke districts.
