Rwanda: Heavy rains leave hundreds homeless, destroy properties in Southern Rwanda

25 Septembre 2017

KIGALI, Rwanda, September 25 (Infosplusgabon) - Torrential rains and strong winds have destroyed 119 houses in Huye, a district located in Southern Rwanda, leaving hundred of residents homeless, a senior administrative official in the region confirmed on Monday.

Reports said that residents in several parts of Huye district and its outskirts were left homeless late Sunday night after they lost properties due to the rainstorm.

"Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes, we are currently assessing the total damages caused," the mayor of Huye district, Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka, said.

The rains began falling on Saturday evening and continued for the next 24 hours, he said.

Meanwhile, previous estimates by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs in Kigali indicate that Natural disasters have wreaked havoc in Rwanda this month, killing 5 people, destroying about 1,000 houses and 892 hectares of crops.

Roads, bridges and water supply lines were also damaged and livestock lost during the month, the authorities said in a report. The most notable events were floods, landslides and winds triggered by heavy rains.

Weather predictions indicate that more downpours are expected across the country between September and December and officials have urged communities living in remote rural zones to fight against erosion.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees has said it is currently working on a project that will ensure the safety of every member of the community in case of an emergency.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OPL/GABON 2017

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