Rwanda: Flash Floods - Jan 2026

The flash floods and rainstorms of 31 January 2026 had a broad geographic scope and a high level of severity, affecting several provinces across Rwanda, including the Southern, Western and Eastern Provinces as well as Kigali City. The hazard combined heavy rains, strong winds and hailstorms, which triggered rapid flooding and caused extensive damage to housing, agriculture and sanitation infrastructure. Overall, an estimated 3,360 people have been affected, including 234–236 households directly impacted in the most affected sectors, 218 houses damaged or destroyed, 295 hectares of crops affected nationwide (including at least 89 hectares of maize and banana plantations. flooded), and 144 latrines destroyed. Sector-level data from Gisagara District (Ndora, Mukindo, ugombwa, Mamba, Muganza, Musha, Gikonko, Gishubi and Save) alone indicate 236 affected households, 189 damaged houses and 133 toilets destroyed or damaged (48 destroyed and 85 damaged), illustrating the intensity of the event even at a localized administrative level. (IFRC, 13 Feb 2026)