Rwanda Reels from Deadly Rains as Kenya Space Agency Warns of Falling Rocket Debris
Eastern Africa is facing a dual crisis this weekend, as Rwanda counts the cost of deadly rains while Kenya keeps an eye on the sky amid a warning from the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) about possible falling rocket debris.
Between April 1 and April 16, Rwanda has endured catastrophic weather, with 52 lives lost and hundreds injured in various rain-related disasters. The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management has reported a staggering 390 disaster cases in just two weeks, highlighting the scale of the devastation.
“At least 19 houses totally collapsed while 731 were damaged,” said Adalbert Rukebanuka, Director General of Planning, Policy, and Risk Reduction. In addition, 107 individuals were injured due to the intense downpours, landslides, and floods.
The government has identified 522 disaster hotspots nationwide, putting around 97,000 people across 22,000 households at elevated risk. Over 1,600 families are in urgent need of relocation, and 800 have already been moved to safer areas with shelter support from the government.
The most vulnerable districts include Rusizi, Rubavu, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru. These areas are forecast to continue receiving unusually high rainfall until May.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned that rainfall totals for April are expected to surpass historical averages. Regions like Rusizi and parts of Nyamasheke and Karongi are likely to receive between 300 mm and 350 mm of rain. In contrast, the Eastern Province is forecast to receive the least rain, between 100 mm and 150 mm.
In Kenya, attention is also turning upward. The Kenya Space Agency issued a public advisory about potential rocket debris falling back to Earth this weekend. Although the agency did not name the specific rocket, the warning has sparked concerns given the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry.
Residents in both countries are being urged to remain vigilant. While Rwandans face ground-level dangers due to floods and landslides, Kenyans have been advised to report any unusual falling objects to local authorities.
As climate change continues to amplify weather extremes in East Africa, the need for preparedness and early warning systems has never been more urgent.
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Rwanda Reels from Deadly Rains as Kenya Space Agency Warns of Falling Rocket Debris