KIGALI -- The Disaster Ministry reported on Monday that floods have left eight people dead and 170 homes destroyed in Rwanda. According to Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Affairs Marcel Gatsinzi, over 400 people were rendered homeless as heavy downpours pounded the East African nation. The report was made during a press conference after five cabinet ministers visited the victims in the Northern Province which was ravaged by the floods. Gatsinzi said the disaster took place after water gushed from the nearby mountains which altered the water course and overwhelmed the water channels in the worst hit districts of the Northern Province. The minister said that the government will provide relief to the affected families as it tries to come up with long term solutions. All flood victims will be compensated and helped in constructing new homes with the assistance of other organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations Fund for Population Agency. A press release revealed that over 870 hectares of crops were destroyed by the floods, which could have an effect on food security in the province. A similar disaster has been reported in the Eastern Province as a result of torrential rains, which had already destroyed about 20 homes in two districts, inundated 80 hectares and rendered 100 residents homeless.