The impact of climate change on natural water systems has become increasingly evident and pronounced in Rwanda. Climate change has led to intense heavy rainfall occurring over short periods, resulting in floods and numerous disasters, including reduced agricultural production and other challenges. This pressing issue has prompted Joseph Hahirwabasenga, a University of Rwanda academic staff and PhD student at Lund University, to conduct research aimed at developing mechanisms to manage floods and mitigate their impacts on buildings, infrastructure, and human activities. His research focuses on the Sebeya catchment in Rwanda's Western Province, encompassing four districts: Nyabihu, Ngororero, Rubavu, and Rutsiro.
Joseph has developed simulation models designed to manage flooding.
The Sebeya catchment was chosen due to its high vulnerability to heavy rains, which have recently caused significant floods and soil erosion. These events have damaged crops, homes and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and schools, while also claiming human and animal lives. Flash floods, triggered by extreme rainfall events over short durations, have become increasingly frequent during the rainy seasons.
Joseph explained the ongoing experiment
To address these challenges, Hahirwabasenga first aims to understand, clarify, and quantify the flooding issues in the Sebeya catchment and their effects on buildings, infrastructure, and human activities. He has developed flood models using GIS-supported, data-driven analysis and process-based simulation models. This technology enables him to assess the current flooding problems in the Sebeya catchment and offer recommendations to improve flood risk management.
Joseph was accompanied by a team of researchers from both Rwanda and Sweden
Currently, Hahirwabasenga is setting up simulation models for flooding, which will help him devise a risk-based methodology to quantify the probabilities and consequences of flooding events. Additionally, he is working on creating and implementing methods for analyzing the economic and societal impacts of various flood risk management scenarios.
“With this research, I aim to evaluate the existing infrastructure to determine its effectiveness in preventing future flooding disasters and to propose potential solutions for improvement,” Hahirwabasenga stated.
Professor Magnus Larson, from the Water Resources Engineering Division at Lund University, also serves as Joseph’s supervisor