RUBAVU, Rwanda, May 5, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Rwandans grieved Thursday for lost 
loved ones and destroyed homes after powerful floods and landslides tore 
through the country killing at least 130 people and leaving many thousands 
homeless.

The government was still counting the cost as families buried their dead in 
the aftermath of one of the worst such natural disasters in years in the 
hilly East African nation.

Rivers of mud swept away homes and other infrastructure and cut off roads 
after heavy rains in several areas, particularly the Western Province 
bordering Lake Kivu where the worst devastation was reported.

"I found my child buried under rocks and bricks that fell on him during the 
heavy rains. He died at the hospital," Anonciata, who only gave one name, 
told AFP in the hard-hit district of Karongi.

"It is very devastating for our family. One of my other children also got 
badly injured on the head. I pray he survives."

Imacule Kankwanzi said normal life had come to a halt in her village with 
nothing to eat and the roads blocked.

"Our houses are destroyed or flooded," she told AFP. "My house is completely 
under water. In short, we are desperate and without hope."

In Rubavu, another district badly affected, survivors said the floodwaters 
brought their homes crashing down.

"I kept calling, asking and wondering where my children were," Nshimiyimana 
Egide told AFP.

He and his wife were able to find shelter in trees but "unfortunately all our 
kids were already dead", he added.

Others were counting their blessings while coming to grips with the scale of 
destruction.

Jacqueline Mukamana rushed out of her home at midnight when neighbours warned 
her the river was flooding only for her home to be swept away.

"Our house, and everything (else), has been destroyed," she said.
Another resident, Paul Bizimana, said he was grateful he managed to get his 
family out: "I managed to rescue my kids and family members... at least they 
are safe."

- Over 5,100 homes destroyed -

The government was racing trucks of emergency supplies to the worst-hit areas 
where evacuees are sheltering in tents.

They have been advised to remain there until the rain stops, amid fear of 
further mudslides and flooding with rivers still raging and land unstable.

"The death toll is now 130 people. We do not know the total number of 
homeless people at the moment, but counting is ongoing," deputy government 
spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda told AFP.

"What we know is over 5,100 homes were destroyed and they all had families 
living in them."

Another 2,500 homes have been partially damaged, according to a government 
tally.
Mukuralinda said 77 people were hurt in the disaster, including 36 still in 
hospital with serious 

injuries.

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente toured the worst-affected regions Thursday 
and joined mourning families as they prepared to bury relatives.

Ngirente urged survivors to "be strong", adding that the government would 
"help them to settle properly again... we will help the wounded and hopefully 
life will continue".

The government will extend compensation of 100,000 Rwandan francs ($110) to 
each family for every member killed in the disaster.

The African Union, UN agencies and countries such as France were among those 
sending condolences to Rwanda.

The Vatican said Thursday that Pope Francis "was deeply saddened to learn of 
the loss of life and destruction" caused by the floods.

"His Holiness also offers the assurance of prayers for the dead, injured, and 
displaced", the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, wrote 
in a telegram.

East Africa often suffers from wild weather during the rainy seasons, and 
Uganda has also suffered in recent days with six people reported dead in a 
landslide.

Last month, at least 14 people died after heavy rains triggered floods and 
landslides in southern Ethiopia, while hundreds of livestock perished and 
scores of houses were damaged.

In May 2020, at least 65 people died in Rwanda as heavy rains pounded the 
region while more than 200 people died in floods and landslides in the first 
four months of 2018.

Experts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and 
intensity due to climate change -- and Africa, which contributes the least to 
global warming, is bearing the brunt.