Rumonge – Torrential rains : Kirasa River overflows, heavy damage recorded in Gabirano village

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, April 17, 2025 – Torrential rains caused the Kirasa River to overflow its banks on Wednesday afternoon in Muhuta district, Rumonge province (southwestern Burundi). The disaster caused significant material damage in Gabirano village.

According to residents, the floodwaters swept away several cassava and banana fields. Nine classrooms at the Kirasa primary school, about ten kiosks, a church, and the Gabirano village office were destroyed. Pupils and residents were among the main victims of this natural disaster.

Some families lost their homes and almost all their belongings. In terms of infrastructure, the RN3 national road linking Rumonge to Bujumbura (the commercial capital) was also damaged. Several water-filled potholes made travel between the towns of Gitaza and Magara very difficult.

Given the extent of the damage, local authorities are appealing for assistance from donors, partners, and humanitarian NGOs to assist the victims. They are also calling for urgent rehabilitation of the Magara-Gitaza section, which has become virtually impassable.

Despite the recurrence of natural disasters in recent years, the Burundian government’s prevention and response mechanisms remain very limited. The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, although formally established, often lacks the financial and logistical resources to respond effectively. Residents also deplore the lack of an early warning system and the slow pace of relief efforts, leaving communities to face the consequences of severe weather alone.

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The damage caused by the overflow of the Kirasa River, April 2025 (SOS Médias Burundi)