Floods
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Cloud Precipitation

At least 13 killed in floods and landslides across Rwanda

Fire and Rescue Brigade were busy last night as they rescued a number of people who were stranded after heavy rains
© The New TimesFire and Rescue Brigade were busy last night as they rescued a number of people who were stranded after heavy rains
The Ministry of Emergency Management in Rwanda reports that heavy rainfall has caused severe material damages and loss of life.

Stormy weather from 02 to 03 February 2020 brought lightning strikes and heavy rain which triggered flooding and landslides in the capital, Kigali, along with other parts of the country.

According to the ministry's provisional update of 03 February, at least 13 people have died
, 2 people injured and 15 houses destroyed.

In areas around the capital in Kigali Province, 3 people died and one was injured after a landslide destroyed a house in Gikondo in Kicukiro district. Seven fatalities were reported after a landslide in Jali in Gasabo district. Twelve houses were destroyed in Nyarugenge district.


Cloud Precipitation

Hundreds stranded in flood-hit Fiordland, New Zealand - 2 feet of rain in 24 hours (UPDATE)

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A state of emergency has been declared in Fiordland after flooding cut off the only road out of Milford Sound, leaving more than 380 people stranded.

State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford, dotted with slips and flooding, is closed and expected to remain so for several days.

The visitors' carparks and terminal in Milford Sound are flooded and staff are monitoring ponds in the area.

The NZ Transport Agency said the highway - the only road in or out of Milford Sound - could remain closed until the end of the week. The next update was not expected before 1pm tomorrow.


Comment: Update: Floodlist on Feb 4th reports:
More torrential rain has fallen in areas of Southland, causing further flooding in the region.

MetService New Zealand said over 1,000mm of rain fell in a 60 hour period in Milford Sound, with 600mm in 24 hours to early 04 February, 2020.

A state of emergency has now been declared for the Southland Region, including Gore, due to extensive flooding.

Floodwaters at the Milford visitors’ terminal 03 February, 2020.
© Emergency Management SouthlandFloodwaters at the Milford visitors’ terminal 03 February, 2020.
Police have evacuated around 15 homes in Gore. Emergency services and Council staff are at present going door-to-door to 280 households in East Gore asking them to prepare to evacuate at short notice. A boil water notice has been issued for Gore as a precaution as the Mataura River continues to rise and could contaminate drinking water. Several roads in Gore have been closed due to flooding.

Southland Emergency Management said the rain "has caused widespread flooding throughout the region with roads closed by slips and flooding in the Fiordland, northern and central Southland and Gore District areas. Milford Sound Piopiotahi is cut off by slips, and heavy rain is continuing with more damage and road closures expected."

The Mataura and Oreti Rivers are rising and are being monitored closely.




Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rain triggers flash floods in Eastern Cape, South Africa

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Heavy rain during a storm on 02 February, 2020, caused severe flash flooding in Alice Town in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Homes were damaged and traffic brought to a standstill as flood waters of over 1 metre deep swamped the town.

In a statement of 02 February, the municipality said, "Amathole District Municipality has been hit by disaster in its Alice Town due to heavy rain today."

The municipality has dispatched its disaster team to assess the extent of damage.


Cloud Precipitation

Flash flood kills four in ambulance in Namibia

flood car
© Selma Gumbo
Four people including a premature baby died when a ministry of health vehicle was washed away in a stream of raging water in the Kunene region on Friday evening.

The tragedy occurred some six kilometres north east of Opuwo.

The car had allegedly gone to collect a mother and her new born premature baby at the Epupa clinic when tragedy struck. The accident was preceded by heavy rains in the area.

Those who perished in the accident include the ambulance driver, the mother and her baby as well as the baby's grandmother who was accompanying them to the hospital.

Five other people including an unconfirmed number of nurses survived the accident.

Cloud Precipitation

5 dead, hundreds displaced as torrential rains continue to pound Kenya

Vehicles are marooned by floodwaters along Ewaso Ngiro-Naroo Sura Road in Narok South Sub-county following heavy rains on January 30, 2020
© GEORGE SAYAGIE /NATION MEDIA GROUPVehicles are marooned by floodwaters along Ewaso Ngiro-Naroo Sura Road in Narok South Sub-county following heavy rains on January 30, 2020
Five people died at the weekend as heavy rains continue to pound the country.

In Makueni County, a man and a woman drowned in Muangini River on Saturday.

Their bodies were recovered yesterday by volunteer divers several kilometres downstream. Kasikeu assistant county commissioner, Arthur Wanyoike, warned residents against crossing flooded rivers.

The two accidents occurred hours after 46 people escaped unhurt after the matatu they were travelling in was swept away by Waa River in the same county. They were travelling to a Building Bridges Initiative rally in the neighbouring Kitui County.


Cloud Precipitation

Floods in southeast Tanzania leave 21 people dead

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Floods that hit southeastern Tanzania's Lindi region have left 21 people dead, the Tanzanian ITV broadcaster reported.

According to the ITV broadcaster, 500 more people are trapped in Kilwa Kisiwani county, awaiting their evacuation to a safer place.

The Tanzanian army will deliver humanitarian aid to the areas affected by helicopters and aircraft, the media outlet added, citing local authorities.

According to some media reports, 13 people have died and 15,000 Tanzanians remain homeless across the Lindi region as a result of floods.


Cloud Precipitation

Torrential rain kills at least 3 in Rwanda

FLOODS
Heavy rains which hit several parts across Rwanda on Tuesday night had killed at least three people before destroying farms and sweeping away five homes, a senior government official said on Wednesday.The Permanent Secretary in the Rwandan ministry of Disaster management and Refugees Affairs, Olivier Kayumba explained that among the most affected districts are Karongi and Rusizi in Western Province and Nyarugenge in Kigali city.

Reports indicated that in Nyarugenge district heavy rains triggered a landslide which destroyed a house, killing one occupant while in Rusizi and Karongi districts two of the victims died after a house they were sleeping in collapsed.


Cloud Precipitation

Flash floods rip through Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia

Flood damage in Floridablanca, Santander,
© Government SantanderFlood damage in Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia, January 2020.
Heavy rain and overflowing creeks caused raging flash floods in Floridablanca municipality in the department of Santander, Colombia, on 28 January 2020.

Local media reported that around 130 families were evacuated from their homes. Images showed cars piled up along streets covered in mud and flood debris. Around 100 vehicles were damaged in the flooding, along with at least 30 houses.


Cloud Precipitation

Emergency declared after rain and floods in Atacama region, Chile

Floods in Atacama, Chile, January 2020.
© Carabineros AtacamaFloods in Atacama, Chile, January 2020.
The government in Chile has declared an emergency after flooding caused severe damage in Atacama region.

President Sebastián Piñera and Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel visited the affected areas on 28 January, where the President declared a state of emergency for the communes of Copiapó, Tierra Amarilla, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral and Alto del Carmen.

Images from emergency teams working in the area showed towns swamped with mud and flood water around 1 metre deep. Several people were reported missing in the floods but have since been located, according to Chile's disaster management agency (ONEMI - Oficina Nacional de Emergencia del Ministerio del Interior y Seguridad Pública). Flooding has also caused major damage to agriculture in the area.


Cloud Precipitation

6 dead, 3 missing after floods in North Sumatra, Indonesia following a foot of rainfall in 24 hours

Flood damage in Central Tapanuli Regency Indonesia, January 2020.
© BNPBFlood damage in Central Tapanuli Regency Indonesia, January 2020.
More flooding has affected western Indonesia, this time in North Sumatra province.

Indonesia's disaster agency BNPB (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana) reports that 6 people have lost their lives and 3 are still missing after floods in the Barus district of Central Tapanuli Regency.

Heavy rain caused the Aek Sirahar river to overflow on 29 January 2020, flooding several villages in Barus district. Around 700 families have been affected and 22 people injured. Some of the families have been evacuated to safer areas.