Heavy rains leave hundreds homeless in Cibitoke

At least 1,200 people were homeless as of Wednesday following heavy rains and strong winds that destroyed some 160 homes in Murwi Commune in Burundi's northwestern province of Cibitoke, an administration official said.

"Violent winds caused trees to fall on houses and destroy them," Jean Claude Nimubona, the communal administrator of Murwi, said on Wednesday.

The storm, which occurred on Monday, was most severe in Murwi is Buhayira Zone, he said. "Inhabitants there are now desperate, they need iron sheets, blankets, clothes and food assistance."

Nimubona said many homes were badly damaged. Residents are making repairs and others are accommodating those who are now homeless but "within their limit" he said.

"Other [homeless people] have sought shelter with families in neighbouring villages which were unaffected by the heavy rains," Nimubona said.

Flash flooding of the Muzenga River left one teenage girl dead. Nimubona said the girl had been farming by the riverbank when she was swept away. Three cows on the banks of the Kansega River were also swept away.

The storm also destroyed hundreds of hectares of beans, cassava, maize and sweet potatoes.

"We have already made an appeal to NGOs in the province," he said. "We are waiting for their reaction."