Rains wreak havoc in Rwanda, 18 killed

By Ivan Nganwa

KIGALI, Rwanda

Landslides and flooding claimed the lives of 18 people in the western region of Rwanda, triggered by constant downpours on Monday, officials said.

Over 100 people have been killed since heavy rains started in January.

“To mitigate the disaster effects, the ministry has supported the affected population and it comforted families whose members have been killed by disasters,” Minister of Refugees and Disaster Management Jeanne d’Arc Debonheur said Tuesday.

Since January, heavy rains have caused floods and landslides that have destroyed homes, schools, as well as roads and bridges across the country.

From January to the end of April, floods and landslides killed 116 people and injured 207, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees.

They also destroyed 120 houses, 23 roads, seven churches, and killed 705 livestock, as well as destroyed 4,560 hectares of crops.

The most affected areas were the southern districts of Nyaruguru and Kamonyi, Rulindo District in the north, Ngororero District in the west and Gasabo -- one of the three districts that make up the capital city Kigali.