BURERA /MUSANZE - Residents living near the Volcanic Mountains along the Virunga Massif have been advised to identify and open the drainage systems that have been blocked over the past years, so as to prevent water from flooding the area.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, made the remarks on Thursday while visiting the families which were affected by storms and flooding around Mt. Muhabura in Burera district.

Wednesday’s disaster destroyed 20 houses and 35 hectares of crops in two sectors of Rugarama and Cyanika. 

It was reported that the drainage system which normally absorbed water from the Mountains were blocked by volcanic stones and human activities. 

"There is no drainage system for the rain water from the Volcanic Mountains that is why it floods causing problems of erosion and destruction of infrastructure. Those are some of the vagaries of nature,’’ The minister said.

Kamanzi who was accompanied by the Minister in charge of Disaster preparedness, Marcel Gatsinzi, urged the residents to plant trees along the bare hillsides and build terraces in order to forestall other water disasters.

The district Mayor, Samuel Sembagare, said the district will carry out community work to reopen the drainage system, plant trees and build houses for residents who were left homeless.

Sembagare encouraged the residents to support their displaced neighbours until they get shelter

The district offered at least one tonne of foodstuffs including maize, wheat, beans and an assortment of other materials including blankets.

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