Charter activations

Flooding in Rwanda

In early May, torrential rainfall triggered flooding and landslides in many parts of Rwanda which is considered one of the most climate-impacted nations on Earth. The hardest-hit districts were Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Karongi.

At least 130 people died while thousands were displaced as several villages were inundated and buildings destroyed. 5000 homes, 17 roads (Including the Mukamira-Ngororero and Rubavu-Rutsiro roads which were impassable due to landslide debris), 26 bridges and a hospital were lost during the severe flooding.

Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. 65% of the population is employed in the agricultural industry. However, as more usable land is being eroded and degraded due to heavy rain and flooding, a majority is vulnerable to losing their occupation due to climate change. This vulnerability will only grow as, currently, Africa is warming up at almost twice the global average.

The National Meteorology Agency said above-average rainfall was expected in many parts of the country during the first 10 days of May following a period of drought. From January to April, 60 people died in weather-related disasters and many houses and acres of land across the country were destroyed. The hilly landscapes of the western and Northern provinces of the country and the capital, Kigali, make them vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.

Type of Event:	Floods
Location of Event:	Rwanda
Date of Charter Activation:	2023-05-04
Time of Charter Activation:	19:31
Time zone of Charter Activation:	UTC+02:00
Charter Requestor:	UNITAR on behalf of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) / Regional Office for Southern & Eastern Africa
Activation ID:	816
Project Management:	Zachary Foltz (Argans)
act-value-adders:	Jakrapong Tawala (UNITAR) Yves Hategekimana (Rwanda Space Agency)

Products

Satellite Detected Water Extent along the Nyabarongo River, West and South of Kigali City in the Southern and Eastern Provinces, Rwanda

Copyright: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023)
Includes Pleiades material © CNES (2023), Distribution Airbus DS.
Map produced by UNOSAT and UNITAR.

Information about the Product

Acquired: Sentinel-1: 21/04/2023, 03/05/2023 and 05/05/2023
Pleiades: 06/05/2023

Source: Sentinel-1 and Pleiades

Category: Delineation Map

Preliminary Satellite Flood and Landslide Assessment Report along the Sebaya River, Rubavu District and Karongi District Western Province, Rwanda

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Copyright: © (2023) DigitalGlobe, Inc., Longmont CO USA 80503. DigitalGlobe and the DigitalGlobe logos are trademarks of DigitalGlobe, Inc.
The use and/or dissemination of this data and/or of any product in any way derived there from are restricted.
Unauthorised use and/or dissemination is prohibited
Includes Pleiades material © CNES (2023), Distribution Airbus DS.
Report produced by UNOSAT and UNITAR.

Information about the Product

Acquired: WorldView-2: 04/07/2022
Pleiades: 06/05/2023

Source: WorldView-2 and Pleiades

Category: Reference Map