Rwanda: Rains wreak havoc

Torrential rains have caused extensive flooding, destroying homes and crops in Rwanda's western and northern regions, according to officials.

"The situation is pathetic; we are trying to secure relief aid for the affected people," Penelope Kantarama, governor of Western Province, said on 3 October. The rains submerged more than 500 homes, destroyed about 2,000 hectares of crops and washed away bridges, roads and pylons, as well as schools.

A government delegation led by Stanislas Kamanzi, the Minister of Natural Resources, visited the province to assess the damage.

Rwanda’s hilly western and northern regions are prone to landslides and flooding. Since 2006, people in the region have borne the brunt of changing weather patterns characterised by heavy rains, flooding and landslides.

An official in the prime minister’s office told IRIN that plans were under way to resettle people in flood-prone regions to more secure areas. Last year, up to 40 people died in Rwanda because of flooding.

"The biggest problem is poor human settlement in hilly regions. Up to 5,000 homes in western Rwanda need to be resettled to avoid such disasters," the officials said.

Because of the rains, fears are growing that this year's harvest, due to start in November, will be affected. Farmers in the western and northern regions mainly grow potatoes, beans, cassava and maize.

According to Jean Bosco Musana, regional head of the Rwanda Red Cross Society, it had started distributing relief aid in the affected regions but its efforts were being hampered by the intensity of the rains.

Up to 15 schools are estimated to have been destroyed, forcing their closure, and likely to affect national exams, due to start in November.

Since 2006, western and northern regions have been severely hit by flooding. Last year, floods caused the Sebeya River to burst its banks, washing away surrounding areas.

nb/eo/mw