Rain Leaves Six Families Stranded in Open Sky in Cuimba

Cuimba: At least six families were displaced last Saturday in the town of Cuimba, northern Zaire province, as a result of heavy rain in the area, the first of this rainy season. According to Angola Press News Agency, Manuel Mpanzo Cassua, spokesperson for the Civil Protection and Fire Service in Zaire, reported that the severe weather accompanied by strong winds affected the neighborhoods of Mbanza Kuimba, 10 de Dezembro, and Kitadila. In statements to ANGOP today, Cassua noted that in addition to the collapse of homes, the rain also caused trees to fall on several roads in the town bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He added that the six affected families, totaling 30 people, were temporarily sheltered by neighbors and relatives while they await assistance from the authorities. Manuel Cassua reiterated his call to families not to build their homes in areas considered at risk, to avoid tragedies during this rainy season. The village of Cuimba is 62 km from the city of Mbanza Kongo, capita l of the province of Zaire.