As heavy rain continue to fall in different parts of Rwanda, authorities in Nyamagabe District have put in place strong measures aimed at preventing disasters and reducing their impacts, with particular focus on protecting children who travel to and from school and relocating residents living in high-risk areas.
Hildebrand Niyomwungeri, The Mayor of Nyamagabe District, has urged parents and residents to be extra cautious during this period of heavy rainfall. He particularly warned against allowing children to go to school when rainfall is intense and they must cross rivers on their way.
“We ask residents to prioritize their safety. When heavy rains fall, they should avoid crossing rivers. We have already identified areas with rivers that may pose risks to people’s lives, and we have deployed personnel to monitor water levels and prevent residents both adults and children from crossing when the water levels rise,” he said.
District authorities have also called on school leaders to prioritize children’s safety, especially when heavy rain falls while students are still at school.
“When rain starts while children are still at school, we ask school administrators to keep them safe and wait until the rain stops. If necessary, arrangements should be made for them to spend the night at school rather than allowing them to return home and risk facing dangers on the way,” he added.
These measures are being reinforced by the relocation of families living on steep slopes or in areas prone to disasters. So far, district authorities say 66 households have already been relocated to safer areas. Mayor Niyomwungeri emphasized the importance of residents following official advice.
“What we ask from residents is to follow the guidance and recommendations provided by authorities. If someone is informed that the place they live puts their life at risk, it is important to understand and relocate in order to avoid possible loss of life,” he said.
Residents living near rivers say they are worried about the safety of their children, especially those who must cross rivers to reach school during periods of heavy rainfall.
Hilariya Mushimiyimana, a resident of Musange Sector, said heavy rains bring serious concern for parents. “We are always worried when heavy rain falls while our children are still at school because we fear they may reach the river and try to cross it and fall into the water. We ask teachers to take responsibility and prevent children from leaving school while it is still raining,” she said.
She added that many areas lack reliable bridges or footpaths, which further puts children’s safety at risk. “In our area we do not have enough safe bridges that we can rely on for children’s safety. In addition, our hillsides are prone to landslides, and sometimes they can collapse suddenly,” she explained.
Recently, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) urged citizens to take preventive measures against disasters as heavy rains continue to fall across the country.
The recommended measures include temporarily relocating people living in steep or damaged houses, directing water into proper drainage channels, clearing blocked waterways, avoiding dumping waste in drainage systems, and firmly securing house roofs.
Residents are also advised to exercise caution when crossing rivers with high water levels or using bridges and footpaths that may have been damaged by heavy rains. Meanwhile, the Rwanda Basic Education Board has reminded parents and teachers to educate children on how to behave during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly during thunderstorms.
REB emphasized that children must be closely monitored when traveling to and from school to protect them from accidents and other dangers that may arise during this rainy season.
