The Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Meteo Rwanda, has announced that between January 21-31, 2024, there will be heavier than usual rainfall.
This information is included in the announcement released by Meteo Rwanda, which states that extraordinary rainfall is expected throughout the country, particularly in the South West.
Meteo Rwanda predicts that rainfall amounts ranging between 10 and 120 mm can be expected across the country.
The expected amount of rainfall will be above the Long-Term Mean (LTM) range in many parts of the country, except in the Northern Province and parts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts in the Eastern Province, where the rainfall will be within the LTM range (which varies between 10 and 50 mm).
The main factor influencing the rainfall is a tropical cyclone located in the southern Indian Ocean, according to Meteo Rwanda.
Meteo Rwanda also states that rainfall greater than 100 mm is expected in the eastern parts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke, as well as the western parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts.
Rainfall ranging between 80 and 100 mm is expected in the remaining parts of Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru Districts, as well as the western parts of Huye and Karongi Districts.
In terms of temperature, Meteo Rwanda predicts that during the third dekad of January 2024, the average maximum temperature is expected to range between 18°C and 28°C, which is below the LTM maximum temperature range for the third dekad of January.
Meteo Rwanda advises those in the Agriculture sector to take this forecast into consideration and closely monitor the daily forecast evolution during the harvesting and drying periods.
In areas where increased rainfall (greater than 80 mm) is expected, such as the south western parts of the country, the impacts of flooding, soil erosion, and landslides are likely.
Therefore, people should preparedness and mitigation measures should be put in place to minimize these potential impacts.
Rwanda Meteorology Agency alerting Rwandans to expect special weather in third dekad of January.