Kigali: Rwanda National Police (RNP) has urged the general public to respect weather advisories to prevent falling victims of disasters especially in this period of torrential rain.
The caution follows Wednesday night heavy rains which claimed lives of at least 12 people in different parts of the country.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that some people become victims due to “lack of compliance” to weather and disaster advisories.
“Weather advisories issues by Rwanda Meteorology Agency and Rwanda National Police warning about floods and affected roads like the case of Wednesday, are ignored or violated and the end results are in most cases fatal,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “When it started raining on Wednesday, we advised people against using some routes which were impassable due to life threatening floods and roads blocked by trees. Unfortunately, some motorists violated these instructions and the end results were fatal. It is stricly forbidden to force your way through a Police stop. Forcing your way through flooded roads is suicidal.”
He advised the public to always heed the weather warning and Police instructions and “avoid areas with potential danger during heavy rains.”
“Areas with roads known for getting flooded are Kanogo-poid lourd, Nyabugogo-Kinamba and Kigali Parents School across the mash land. These areas should be avoided when it’s raining heavily.”
CP Kabera further advised against standing under bridges and trees when its raining, which is dangerous.
“We had a situation on that day where motorcyclists used the bridge connecting the city centre and Kinamba to shelter them from the rain. Apart from the fact that tens of their motorcycles were washed away by floods, such rain can also destroy the bridge and many lives could be lost.”
“Take shelter in safer places but not under bridges, water channels or trees.”
The spokesperson also called for timely information sharing on disasters like floods, landslides, trees falling in middle of the road and other places where it affects movements or posing threat to people’s lives, for quick response.
“Don’t be a bystander; your call could save someone’s life. Don’t undermine floods, find safer places when floods starts entering your house especially when it’s raining heavily.”
For disaster response, he urged the public to always call 112 (emergency), 111 (Fire and Rescue Brigade), 113 (traffic accidents), 110 (Marine security), 0788380953, 0788311224 and 0788311155. (End)