Two people were killed and property worth millions of francs destroyed following weekend heavy rains in Rulindo and Gicumbi districts, Police and local leaders confirmed. One person died while two others survived on Saturday in Rulindo after a landslide triggered by a downpour destroyed their residential house. The deceased was identified as Merecienne Rembera, 75, a resident of Kinzuzi Sector. Inspector of Police Innocent Gasasira, the Northern Province acting regional police spokesperson, said the downpour lasted for hours. “There were three people in the house, one died on the spot while two children survived,” said Gasasira. Augustin Dusengimana, the Kinzuzi executive secretary, said several acres of crops and about 20 houses were destroyed by the landslides. “It rained from around 10pm to 4am. Houses and crops were destroyed but we are yet to assess the extent of the damage,” said Dusengimana. He said although the area was not among the places identified as high-risk zone, the nature of the soil is prone to rain-related disasters. He said there is need to relocate residents living in the particular area to a safe place. Meanwhile, the second victim was only identified as Mwubahamana, 11, from Ruvune Sector in Gicumbi District, who reportedly drowned in Warufu River on Friday. Beatrice Jolie, the Ruvune executive secretary, told The New Times that the river had flooded after heavy rain. The heavy rain also left Warufu marshland overflowing leaving nearby crops submerged in water. The overflowing rainwater also made some areas inaccessible by road but it has reduced and there is a hope that people will move freely, Jolie added. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
