Rain wrecks infrastructure in Musanze

Heavy rain, on Wednesday, destroyed several houses in Musanze district and damaged other infrastructure. The heavy downpour, coupled with storm, also destroyed Muhoza Primary Court and several billboards in the town.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Heavy rain, on Wednesday, destroyed several houses in Musanze district and damaged other infrastructure.The heavy downpour, coupled with storm, also destroyed Muhoza Primary Court and several billboards in the town. However, no deaths or injuries were reported in the aftermath of the downpour. Vincent Ndayambaje, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, put the number of destroyed houses at 52.However, he added that authorities were still collecting statistics from four affected sectors.About 300 houses are said to have been destroyed in the district.Bertin Mbangukira, a businessman whose house was affected, said the rain ruined the whole of his property.Life first"I was inside my shop around 5:30pm when it rained, it was windy with hailstorms. I fled as I realised my life was at stake. I couldn’t take anything and almost the whole property, apart from beer, other property in boxes was damaged,” said Mbangukira."I am now homeless and trying to rebuild but it is not easy as the roof was totally ruined,” he said.Patrick Sebuzu, whose house was also destroyed, said he also lost property."I can’t estimate the loss but all electrical appliances were damaged including TV set, radio, among others, other household materials were also damaged. I and my family are now homeless,” he said.The executive secretary of Kigombe cell Jean Claude Nizeyimana, said at least 15 houses in his cell, were destroyed, five of them seriously.The rain also triggered fire blackouts in Ruhengeri cell in Muhoza sector.District officials said after getting statistics they will provide relief support in conjunction with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs.