East African flood toll grows, 25 dead in Rwanda

KIGALI, Nov 30 (Reuters) A river has burst its banks in northern Rwanda, killing at least 25 people, officials said today as torrential rain and devastating floods continued to sweep across east Africa.

In the tiny mountainous nation of Rwanda, the bodies of several victims were found up to 30 km downstream after the River Base flooded on Tuesday, officials said.

''We have confirmed 25 people dead but the number could easily increase,'' Boniface Rucago, the governor of Rwanda's Northern Province, told Reuters by telephone. ''The victims were caught unawares as flood waters poured over their doorsteps ... sweeping them away along with their property.'' Rucago said at least 100 people had been left homeless.

''I lost eight members of my family, including my wife and two children,'' said one survivor, Pascal Ndimubanzi.

Heavy rains have pounded eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa for weeks, killing hundreds and uprooting thousands.

In Ethiopia, helicopters were today flying emergency supplies to some of the 122,500 people displaced by massive floods in the eastern Ogaden region where 80 people have died in recent days, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said.

The Ethiopian government has launched 27 million dollars appeal for emergency items.

In Kenya, the worst floods in decades have killed at least 34 people in the last month, the Red Cross said. Scores more have died in Somalia, where conflict hampers aid efforts.

REUTERS PB RN2339