Rwanda: 13 die as torrential rains ravages Kigali

Heavy overnight rains have led to the death of 13 people in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, and a few others injured, according to government officials.

Rwanda has been experiencing heavy rains that are responsible for flooding and mudslides that swept away 15 houses in the capital and left some roads inaccessible.

Now, the death toll is 13 and could double that amount soon.

Spokesman of the ministry of disaster management, Claude Tuyishime, said, "We can confirm that the provisional number of those deaths has reached 13. Some people who we thought were missing have been found dead and the search continues."

On January 28, heavy rain in Rwanda killed at least three people while destroying farms and sweeping away homes. In December, 12 people were killed in Kigali while officials said more than 100 homes were destroyed.

While the government has begun the herculean task of relocating thousands of households located in wetlands and other at-risk areas; information from the Rwanda Meteorology Agency has indicated that the heavy rains would continue.