According to officials, the search for victims in Rwanda started Thursday after torrential rains prompted mudslides and severe flooding in the north, west, and southern provinces, killing over 130 people and demolishing thousands of homes.

According to government officials examining affected areas, the death toll will grow because some dead are buried under mud and rubble.

Alain Mukuralinda, the deputy government spokesman, informed reporters that at least 77 people had been hurt and 36 remained hospitalized by Thursday.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rwanda floods

Mukuralinda stated that the government does not know how many people were displaced by the floods and mudslides because the count is ongoing. He confirmed that the rains destroyed more than 5,000 houses, and the families have been replaced.

Mudslides, according to officials, wrecked several roads and bridges, notably in the western provinces. According to Reuters, one hospital, two health posts, and five health clinics were destroyed.

According to the local Red Cross, at least six people perished Wednesday in a mountainous section of Uganda's South Western Kisoro district when their homes were buried in a mudslide caused by the rains.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rwanda floods

A local official told The Associated Press that poor farming and soil management methods and climate change caused the calamity.

Since late March, Rwanda and Uganda have been receiving heavy and continuous rains. According to the Rwanda Meteorology Agency, more rain is expected in the region in the coming days.