Two children died when torrential rains pounded Musheri Sector in Nyagatare District over the weekend.Four other people sustained injuries while properties, including houses and plantations, were destroyed.Several families were also left homeless.According to local authorities, 67 houses and an estimated 30 hectares of banana plantations were destroyed.Dina Nibagwire, one of the affected residents appealed for urgent relief, saying the disaster could result into food shortages.“We suffered terrible losses…some of us thought it was the end of the world, reminiscent of the Noah story in the bible,” she said.“The skies suddenly turned against us, wind moving at a terrific speed engulfed our village. Banana plantations were destroyed, we are left with no food. We need aid.” Local authorities, blamed the destruction of the houses on poor construction practices. “The roofs were peeled off by the wind because they were not strong enough. Roofs must be tightened. Even though the wind was strong the damage would have been minimal, if the roofs were well-built,” said the local leaders.Dens Habarugira, an official with Musheri Sector, said intervention of the district and the Ministry of Disaster Management and refugee Affairs was expected soon.“Stakeholders are assessing the damage. They will soon come to the aid of the affected people,” he said.A bigger part of the sector is flat.“We must intensify the campaign to plant trees, so that they may act as wind breakers in the future. In the mean time, we urge residents to shelter the affected people as we look for solutions,” said Habarugira.
