RWAMAGANA – A heavy downpour on Monday destroyed several houses and other property in Rwamagana district, rendering an unspecified number of families homeless. The stormy rains, which lasted for over an hour, affected mainly Rwamagana town and its suburbs.The district Mayor, Nehemie Uwimana, told The New Times over the phone that he had already directed the district disaster committee to assess the damage.Although the mayor could not give details regarding the magnitude of damage caused, he said the rains which, started at around 4p.m, ripped off roofs and ruined the walls of some houses."Several houses were destroyed by sudden heavy rains and the storm. We are assessing the damage and will soon ascertain the magnitude of the damage,” he said.He further explained that the district would help the affected families get temporary shelter as they repair their houses. Emmanuel Ruvebana, one of the affected residents, recounted that he and his family were forced to share a single room after the roof of their house was ripped off.He called on local authorities to assist them.Vincent Niyonzima, another resident, said that his banana plantation was completely destroyed."I don’t know where I will get my next meal from...I entirely depend on my banana plantation to feed my family. Almost all banana trees were flattened by the rains,” he said.