A storm which swept through Zaza Sector, Ngoma District in Eastern Province on Thursday destroyed sixteen homes, leaving several residents in the cold. According to Eric Karuhanga, the acting Executive Secretary of Zaza Sector, affected families were given shelter by fellow residents as they wait for renovation support from authorities. “Residents arranged shelter for their neighbours and friends with the help of local authorities and we applaud them for this sense of concern for each other,” said Karuhanga. He added that they have already contacted the district authorities which promised to help. Laurence Mukagakware, 64, one of the affected residents from Isangaza village, said the storm brew off house roof while they were inside. “The house began to shake as if there was an earthquake and within a few minutes, I saw the roof beginning to slide over the house on one side, I dashed out to my neighbours,” said the elderly woman. More than 200 iron sheets were destroyed but no crops were ruined since farmers have already harvested, apart from a few hectares of banana plantations which were left on the ground, especially in the villages of Umuvugangoma, Isangaza and Akabungo. The sector executive secretary attributed the destruction to poor building materials, saying many of the affected houses had weak roofs. “There are cases where you find roofs attached to mud bricks without any cement used. Such materials can’t resist heavy storms like the one we experienced that day,” said Karuhanga. Authorities added that the sector would help in the renovation process in a week’s time in collaboration with the district. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
