heavy rains destroy houses in Gatsibo

GATSIBO/NYAGATARE — Sixty nine houses were last week destroyed by heavy rains in Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts. Gatsibo was worst hit where 54 units were destroyed in Kababrore sector, while 16 were in Gatunda and Rukomo sectors, Nyagatare district. Several residents who were affected in Gatunda Sector sought shelter from their neighbours’ homes. ‘I was sitting near my house with children when heavy winds blew off the roof of my house,’ said Angelique Uwimana, one of the affected residents. Jean de Dieu Nkuzurwanda, a resident of Kabarore sector added that farm lands have also been affected by the heavy down pour. ‘We have been seriously affected by this incidence. Farmers have lost both banana and cassava plantations. In such a situation we are envisaging hunger in the near future’, he added. Speaking to The New Times, the Rukomo Sector Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Hakuzweyezu, confirmed the incident and said they had reported it to the district authorities. ‘We are still waiting for their response,’ he said. The Nyagatare district vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Rebecca Karungi, said that the district would urgently intervene to help the affected residents. ‘We are going to try all means to see that we provide immediate support for the affected residents as we mobilise funds to help them get iron sheets and other necessities,’ she said. Ends