Windstorm wreck houses in Musanze

WINDSTORM destroyed buildings, including classroom blocks at two schools in Musanze District, leaving households with no shelter. The incident occurred on Thursday night in Cyuve Sector, according to local leaders. At least 10 houses and two schools as well as some crops were affected. However, there were no casualties reported in the disaster. Residents and local leaders described the storm as disastrous, saying it was out of luck that it had not cost lives and destroyed a lot more properties. “I was inside the house in one room when I heard my kids running and screaming. I rushed out only to see my house roof blown off and partially destroyed. We luckily survived but my properties were affected,” said Beatrice Nabahire, a mother of five. “We had a sleepless night with residents guarding their properties. Only children were housed by neighbours, we are looking at ways of reroofing and hopefully we go back into our own houses soon,” she added The two affected schools are Groupe Scolaire Kigombe and Ecole Primaire de l’Amitie, where some classrooms lost roofs while other blocks were completely brought down. ‘Unusual wind’ Residents and local leaders have described the Thursday storm as unusual as it was strong and had not been experienced before. While officials encourage residents to build their houses in a way that can withstand such winds by tightening roofs, district officials said the Thursday wind was destructive. “We cannot blame anybody or fault the way houses were constructed, the wind was too strong and few houses could resist it,” said Jean Claude Uwimana, Musanze mayor. Jean Pierre Manzi, Cyuve Sector executive secretary, said there were plans to start renovating the affected houses through community work. Residents who need support will be supported through social protection schemes. “Locals will help the affected families build their houses but we will also support the poor to get nails and look for support from the district whenever we cannot help, we are hopeful that all households will go back in their houses soon,” said Manzi. He also said studies continue normally at the affected schools and renovation would be done. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Windstorm wreck houses in Musanze