RUTSIRO- At least 20 houses and other property were destroyed by a heavy downpour that hit various parts of Rutsiro District on Thursday night.According to the District Mayor, Gaspard Byukusenge, the heavy rains which lasted for about one hour were characterised by strong winds and hailstorms. Kigeyo and Rusebeya sectors were the most affected.The heavy winds also ripped off rooftops of two classrooms and two toilets at Groupe Scolaire Gakeri while the Rukaragata Cell offices were partly damaged.A young girl only identified as Nyirahabimana sustained minor injuries as she was hit by a brick which fell on her during the downpour. She was admitted at a local health centre before being discharged.Another resident, whose identity was not readily available, was left with burns which he sustained while attempting to escape the rains.The downpour also destroyed an estimated 30 hectares of cassava, maize and bean plantations.The area mayor said neighbours had offered shelter to the affected residents.“We have organised a community work programme to support the affected to re-roof their houses.” “However, there are others whose houses need new tiles. Those ones are still housed by their neighbours while a number of them have sought shelter in a cell office,”, Byukusenge said.He consoled the victims and called on their neighbours to offer them immediate support.
