Relief agency on Tuesday said five people are feared dead and an unconfirmed number of people are missing after heavy flooding in the southwestern Ugandan district of Kisoro.

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in an emergency update, said the Monday night incident occurred after water flowed from Mount Mahabura downstream, sweeping many houses and causing destruction.

“Following a community meeting, at Gasiza trading center in Nyarusiza sub-county, community members expressed fear after an unidentified number of people went missing following heavy flooding.

“Five people are feared dead and bodies are yet to be extricated from the rubble.’’

URCS said due to flooding, a number of houses have been destroyed, some are submerged and some roads have been made inaccessible due to heavy stones and mud.

South Sudan’s inter-communal skirmishes claim 32 lives

The relief agency said there was an ongoing assessment conducted by the local government and other agencies to determine the extent of the damage and the need for help.

Uganda’s weather department on Jan. 19 said that although December, January, and February were generally characterized by sunny and dry conditions, some parts of the country were receiving off-season rains.