August 2, 2026 | BARAYAGWIZA Sylvain

Highlights from the Debris Flow and Flood Modelling Workshop

The East African Institute for Fundamental Research (EAIFR) at the University of Rwanda recently hosted a two-day interactive workshop on debris flows and flash floods, held on 7–8 July 2026 at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology in Kigali. The workshop brought together participants interested in understanding and modelling these important natural hazards. Led by Professor Andrew Hogg and Dr. Mark Woodhouse from the University of Bristol, UK, the training combined lectures with practical, hands-on activities. Participants gained experience using the free-to-use LaharFlow web model and explored approaches for simulating Earth-surface flows over topography, modelling erosion and deposition, and visualising model results using QGIS. The sessions provided an opportunity to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications in debris flow and flash flood modelling. Beyond the technical training, the workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and capacity building in natural hazard modelling. The workshop was sponsored by the University of Bristol** and organized by EAIFR at the University of Rwanda. Watch the video 👉 https://youtu.be/zYlndq8mtwo for highlights from the workshop and a glimpse of the participants, activities, and discussions that made the event a valuable learning experience.