Rwanda floods death toll reaches 135, over 20,000 displaced
At least 135 people died and one is still missing following recent flooding and landslides in parts of Rwanda, the government announced on Saturday.
In its latest updates, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management also said more than 20,000 people were displaced after 5963 houses were destroyed in the different provinces of the country.
“Some 110 people were injured in the disasters and 13 are still admitted in health facilities,” the ministry figures showed.
Those displaced are accommodated at 83 temporary sites, it said.
Also destroyed were 20 national roads, 12 power stations and eight water treatment plants, it added.
The government had initially said 131 people were killed, 94 others injured and roughly 9000 were displaced when disasters triggered by heavy rains hit Western, Northern and Southern provinces of Rwanda on May 2 and 3.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, while visiting the areas affected by disasters in Rubavu District on Friday, reaffirmed the government's commitment to support those affected.
“We could not have done anything to prevent floods or heavy rains from occurring, but helping those who survived this tragedy is within our ability and we must do it,” he said.
“I am here to stand with you and to tell you that we are thinking about you, we know the suffering this tragedy has caused and we share these concerns for your wellbeing. We are doing everything within our means to help you overcome this difficult time.”
