Rwanda Government Boosts Flood Preparedness Amid Strong El Niño Warning

The government is stepping up preparations for floods, landslides and other weather-related disasters as forecasters warn that a very strong El Niño could bring above-average rainfall to much of East Africa during the October-December 2026 rainy season. Government officials and regional climate experts say the coming months should be used to strengthen early warning systems, protect vulnerable communities and prepare key sectors for the possible impacts of prolonged heavy rainfall. The warning was issued during the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 74), being held in Rwanda, where scientists and policymakers are discussing the regional outlook prepared by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC). ALSO READ: Flood disaster: Death toll climbs to 130, over 5,000 houses swept Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern caused by periodic warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Although it originates thousands of kilometres away, it can alter weather patterns across the globe. In Rwanda and parts of East Africa, it is often associated with wetter-than-normal rainy seasons, increasing the risk of floods and landslides. Fidèle Bingwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, said Rwanda's experience with heavy rainfall has shown how quickly extreme weather can develop into a multi-sectoral disaster. "For Rwanda, this means preparing for the potential impacts of heavy rainfall, including floods and landslides, and the effects these may have on communities, agriculture and infrastructure," Bingwa said. Heavy rains can damage roads and bridges, destroy crops, raise water levels in rivers and lakes, and disrupt transport and livelihoods, particularly in areas already vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Bingwa said the government's climate resilience strategies focus on improved rainfall monitoring and forecasting, flood early warning systems, catchment management, drought preparedness and stronger disaster response mechanisms. As the region approaches the October-December rainy season, he said national climate outlook forums should move beyond forecasting to preparing for the consequences of the expected weather conditions. "We should strengthen preparedness across key sectors, protect vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure, and ensure that warnings reach people early, clearly and in a form they can act upon," he said. He called on humanitarian organisations, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector and regional scientific institutions to invest more in climate services and early warning systems. He also stressed that vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fishing communities and residents of informal settlements -- should be deliberately considered when climate services and disaster preparedness measures are designed. ALSO READ: Over 650 households displaced by River Mukungwa floods to be relocated Aimable Gahigi, the Director General of Meteo Rwanda, said the El Niño outlook has implications for nearly every sector of the economy. Among those likely to be affected are disaster risk management, health, agriculture and food security, livestock, water resources, energy, the blue economy, and communities vulnerable to displacement or climate-related conflict. "This is because El Niño causes heavy rainfall in Rwanda, as it does in some other countries in the region," Gahigi said. The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has also urged communities and institutions to prepare before the rains intensify. In a public warning, the ministry said forecasts indicate that the autumn season is expected to bring heavy rainfall linked to El Niño and that the current period offers an opportunity to reduce the risks posed by floods, landslides, lightning, strong wi