RWANDA: Heavy rains wreak havoc in northwest

Torrential rainfall in northwestern Rwandan has left at least 15 people dead and damaged homes in three villages, leaving hundreds of people homeless, local leaders said.

At least 562 houses were destroyed by flash floods, most of them in the villages of Bigogwe and Mukamira in Nyabihu district.

"Some of the houses that collapsed were built in the prohibited dangerous areas where the rain could cause such a disaster," Charles Ngirabatware, the mayor of Nyabihu, told IRIN.

"We are facing a catastrophic situation. Hundreds of families are now homeless and we don’t know yet the exact number of victims. The displaced families have been resettled in the transit camps of Kijorwe," he added.

Those affected were to receive food, water and bedding from the government, Ngirabatware said. "We are seeking more assistance for the displaced families," he added. Health officials, meanwhile, warned of the risk of disease outbreaks because of stagnant pools of water following the heavy downpour.