Heavy rains caused floods in western Rwanda that has claimed the lives of at least 55 people.
Over 55 people have died as a result of flooding and landslides brought on by heavy rains last night in Western Province, according to government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo, speaking to Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
An image of muddy water flowing along a road and demolished homes was posted on the official Rwanda Broadcasting Agency’s Twitter account.
“It rained heavily all night, causing immense suffering in the districts of Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, and Karongi,” Francois Habitegeko, governor of the Western Province, told Reuters news agency.
“We have lost many lives and families. Around 55 people have died, not to mention the wounded and those trapped under their houses. We are trying to rescue as many people as possible,” he added.
“The soil was already soaked from the previous days of rain, which caused landslides that closed roads,” he said.
The River Sebeya breached its banks on Tuesday at about 18:00 (16:00 GMT), according to Habitegeko.
The East African country of Rwanda is anticipated to get above-average rainfall in May, according to the Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
