Rusizi District residents, in Nyakabuye Sector have welcomed with a sigh of relief the prospects that the hot springs, locally known as Amashyuza found in area are being restored. The hot springs, according to a report by the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, drained out last year, triggering a probe into the incident. A technical study at the time mandated the leadership of the district as well as CIMERWA Plc to ensure that the hot springs return to their natural bed, as part of the remedial solutions. Ordinarily, hot water is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the Earth’s crust. Like it in different other place, the water was serving as a tourist destination and as physiotherapy for sick people. According to CIMERWA, the last few days have seen the re-emergence of the hot springs, bringing cautious optimism to the community. It is however if the hot springs will be restored to their full natural state. Albert Sigei, CIMERWA Plc CEO said they are observing the hot springs to know how sustainable the restored hot springs will be. “The re-emergence of the hot springs is a happy occasion for both CIMERWA plc and the local community there. We are happy to have lent resources to this endeavour and we will keep working hand in hand with the local authorities to help strengthen and maintain this local touristic attraction,” Sigei said in a statement. “We are keenly observing the interventions made to confirm sustainability,” Sigei added. Hope among residents Meanwhile, Ephraim Kayumba, Mayor of Rusizi district, pointed out that the return of the water into the hot springs is a good sign and has created hope among residents who revered the natural feature. We are happy to see progress in the restoration the Mashyuza hot springs. We thank those behind this work and appreciate the community for their patience while the issue is being addressed,” Kayumba said. He added; “We are closely monitoring the measures taken and should be able to confirm if they will hold firm in the coming days. The disappearance of the hot spring water in August 2020 led to public outcry with many called for intervention by the government. Hot springs are formed when hot water is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the Earth’s crust. The hot spring in Rusizi served as a tourist destination, mainly people with different health conditions who would dip themselves in the hot water for healing. A number of earthquakes which happened last year, including one on September 16, 2020 and another on August 24, 2020 contributed to the weakening of the ground below, alongside dynamite explosions which happen at least 3 times a month. Geologists and seismologists at the time warned that the ‘limestone rock’ under the hot spring in the area is like a ‘time bomb’ that could calamitously collapse anytime in the future due to gradual weakening of the limestone rock.
