Two people were killed and an estimated 50 hectares of maize crop destroyed in a two-day down pour that devastated three sectors of Gaseke Valley in Gakenke District.

Area authorities reported that over 20 houses were also destroyed in Janja, Busengo and Muzo sectors.

"We are facing a disaster; all our crops which we expected to harvest in two months’ time have been destroyed,  including the harvested crops we had kept for consumption,” said one affected farmer, Barahungana Dominique.

A bridge linking Busengo to Kivuluga also collapsed making movement of people and goods difficult. 

Speaking to The New Times, the District Executive Secretary, Richard Mberabagabo, attributed the destruction to lack of enough control measures against soil erosion.

"We last witnessed such a disaster 30 years ago, when the valley was filled up with water,” one of the residents observed. 

Residents called upon the government to come to their rescue and help provide food items and seeds to replant.

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