Flood victims get relief

Local leaders in the Western Province yesterday organised special communal work to help victims of Tuesday’s heavy rains.During an impromptu communal exercise in Rusizi, Provincial Governor Celestin Kabahizi noted that measures were underway to solve the problem in a sustainable way.“We are speeding up the process of relocating residents who live in disaster prone areas so that such catastrophes can be avoided in the future,” he said.Kabahizi appealed to the local population to actively take part in the three-month programme designed and dedicated to fight soil erosion on hilly areas in the region.“The solutions to these problems lie within us, it’s therefore necessary to join hands for this cause,”Three family members were among those confirmed dead as a result of Tuesday’s floods in Rubavu district. The bodies of Ephraim Habumugisha, 29, his wife Francoise Mukajado, 26, and their eight-month old toddler of Nyamyumba sector were discovered yesterday as rescue efforts continued.Efforts to locate the missing continue as residents and local authorities work together to restore normality.Information available indicates that over 500 houses were damaged with approximately 50 of them completely destroyed.In Rusizi district, the Bugarama road that leads to Cimerwa is impassable and the road from Rubavu town to Bralirwa factory has been cordoned off due to severe damage.Also destroyed were classrooms, agricultural farms and methane gas extraction equipment in Rubavu district.By press time yesterday three bodies had been recovered in Rugerero sector. The families which were displaced have sought refuge from nearby villages.In an interview, Rubavu district, Mayor Sheikh Hassan Bahame disclosed that about 22 families which live in disaster prone areas are already in the process of being relocated to safe places.

National

Flood victims get relief