The Ministry of Emergency Management has announced that disasters caused by the heavy rainfall that poured throughout the night of August 17 to the morning of August 18 claimed the lives of three people, left 11 others injured, and destroyed various properties including houses.
From the night of Sunday, August 17, the rain continued into Monday, August 18, an unusual occurrence during this month, according to Aristarque Ngonga, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Emergency Management.
He explained: “Normally, the month of August does not experience rainfall. However, on August 16 we had rain in different parts of the country, and again during the night it continued until the morning.”
The Ministry reported that three people in Burera District lost their lives after being struck by thunder, while 11 others were injured three in Kamonyi District and eight in Nyamasheke District.
Some of the victims were struck by lightning, while others were injured due to the collapse of houses caused by the heavy rain.
The Ministry also noted that seven houses were destroyed during that night of rainfall, including six in Kamonyi District and one in Musanze District.
Meanwhile, the previous week, rain fall across the country claimed the lives of five people in total, with two others having died between August 11 and 16.
During those days, the rain also injured four people and destroyed 11 houses in Musanze, Kamonyi, Nyamagabe, and Nyamasheke Districts.
MINEMA (Ministry of Emergency Management) urges everyone to implement preventive measures and disaster preparedness during the rainy season in order to better protect lives and avoid different kinds of losses.
RADIOTV10
