Rwanda prepares for El Niño and potential disasters
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Across Rwanda, local districts are working to move families from areas likely to experience landslides and floods as the country prepares for El Niño conditions expected to bring heavy rainfall in 2026.
Alphonse Bizumuremyi lost his wife and survived with his young child during previous heavy rains, and is now receiving support to rebuild his home. Residents are reinforcing homes, digging trenches, and clearing drainage channels to mitigate the effects of the anticipated increased rainfall.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency forecasts rainfall between 300 and 1,000 millimeters during the rainy season, exceeding the usual 279 to 962 millimeters. Authorities predict the heaviest rainfall will occur in western and southern districts like Nyamasheke and Nyaruguru. As of June 2026, 4,785 households had been relocated nationwide, but thousands more remain vulnerable. Districts like Rubavu and Nyabihu are identifying households for relocation and allocating funds for new housing or rental support.
Local leaders are also preparing evacuation sites, training response teams, and improving infrastructure like drainage systems and bridges. The government anticipates El Niño conditions will persist into early 2027, requiring continued preparedness efforts.
