Residents of the Panzi district, located along the Ruzizi River, were once again faced with flooding caused by a landslide on the Rwandan side. The river’s swollen waters overflowed, affecting dozens of homes and leaving stricken residents in emergency situations.
The Nyiratengo hill in Nyamagane in Rwanda continues to deteriorate, causing landslides which flowed into the Ruzizi River, leading to flooding in the Panzi district. This recurrence of events endangers the lives and property of residents of the region and calls for urgent measures to protect them.
The researchers point out that this landslide is a phenomenon known since the 1950s, and that it is necessary to immediately relocate the residents of the Panzi district to avoid an imminent disaster. Indeed, with an area of approximately 80 hectares moving towards the Ruzizi River, the situation presents significant risks for the local population.
In addition to the consequences on homes, this situation also threatens the power plant of the Grands Lacs Industrial Electricity Company, which supplies electricity to the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi. Rapid and concerted actions are needed to prevent further deterioration of the situation and guarantee the safety of affected populations.
It is imperative that emergency measures are taken to protect the residents of the Panzi district and avoid another disaster. Managing natural risks and environmental consequences must be a priority to preserve the lives and property of local populations.