Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi, has assured the public of quick rehabilitation of the Huye-Nyamagabe road which is impassable after being damaged by heavy rains on January 15. Due to road damage across the Mwogo river that occurred in Huye District at Kigoma sector in Karambi cell, the road Huye-Nyamagabe is temporarily closed to traffic. ALSO READ: Heavy rain blocks Huye-Nyamagabe road The disaster followed a warning by the Rwanda Meteorology Agency that said the south-western parts of the country will continue to experience above-normal rainfall up to January 20. Huye and Nyamagabe are among four districts with predicted heavy rainfall of 200-250 millimetres in January. ALSO READ: How are districts with likely heavy rain preparing for looming floods? “The blocked Huye-Nyamagabe road has had an impact on the transportation of goods and people because the road continues up to Rusizi District. That is why its rehabilitation is expected today,” she told The New Times on January 16. She said vehicles that transport goods are currently using an alternative road but are moving slowly as the road which is in a poor state is not efficient. ALSO READ: Over Rwf120 billion needed to repair infrastructure damaged by recent rain The alternative road being used is Nkungu-Kigoma-Rwaniro-Rugogwe-Ruhashya-Rugarama-Rusatira but it is not tarmacked, she explained. She added: “Public transport buses from both sides of the road are exchanging passengers once they reach the damaged road section.” She said the damaged road was still under liability period since it was constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). “It is CRBC that has to rehabilitate the damaged road. We assure residents and users of the road that we are closely working on quick rehabilitation of this road.” ALSO READ: Weather forecaster warns of likely flooding to affect roads According to the forecaster, impacts associated with heavy and accumulated rainfall are likely in south-western parts of the country where increased rainfall [ranging between 60 and 120 millimetres] is expected up to January 20. “Likely impacts are flooding, soil erosion, and landslides in flood-prone areas. Preparedness and mitigation measures should be put in place to minimise impacts that may be caused by the expected rains.”
