Photos: Efforts to tame deadly Sebeya floods gain momentum

New disaster prevention measures are being installed along Sebeya River to contain its flooding in Rubavu district. Bridges and retention walls made of colons of concrete, metal, cement, and stones are being elected at Sebeya hotspots where the river broke its banks, in May, overflowed the buffer zone, and ravaged populated areas. ALSO READ: Govt revisits plan to evict vulnerable residents near River Sebeya The new infrastructures are seen in Mahoko trading center in Kanama and Nyundo sectors where Sebeya River flood hot spots are being protected to regulate its overflow during the rainy season. Speaking to The New Times, Déogratias Nzabonimpa, the Acting Mayor of Rubavu District, disclosed that eight hotspots have been protected with very strong walls and four bridges elected. According to him, the exercise will continue as per available resources until the water is fully controlled. The ongoing project could take several years to complete. “The infrastructures are part of the response to the disasters recently caused by Sebeya River. The plan is to have a sustainable solution during the rainy season so as to avoid more damages and loss of human life. The project will continue,” he stated. Nzabonimpa warned “population to get rid of construction (of homes) in buffer zones within 10 meters. The walls being constructed along the river are tall with the length of four meters and one meter wide. ALSO: Grassroots leaders seek early warning systems for disaster management The initiative follows other government plans where people living within 10 meters from the river Bank were requested to relocate to prevent further disasters caused by Sebeya River in Rubavu, Nyabihu and Rutsiro districts. Residents of Mahoko commercial center and the neighbouring Nyundo Sector commend the new infrastructure being established at Sebeya as response to the floods. Emmanuel Bicamumpaka and Agnes Mukeshimana, residents of Kanama and Nyundo Sectors, spoke to The New Time in Mahoko center. Bicamumpaka noted that “the retention walls will prevent water from spreading to the river banks again.” “We are hopeful that these walls and bridges will protect us from more severe floods from Sebeya like it previously destroyed property and killed people,” Mukeshimana added. Data from Rubavu district shows that about 280 houses within 10 meters from the river bank have, so far, been removed from the buffer zone in different sectors sharing the river. At least 1,360 houses were destroyed by disasters that claimed the lives of over 130 people across the country.

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Photos: Efforts to tame deadly Sebeya floods gain momentum