Landslides in the northwest Burundi province of Cibitoke have killed at least 26 people and injured seven, while 10 more people remain missing, the security ministry said on Thursday.

"There was a landslide on December 4, around 4pm in Mugina commune following heavy rains. Currently the death toll is at 26 but 10 people are still missing." said Burundi's police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye in a statement.

Rescue and recovery operations are still ongoing.

Large parts of East Africa have been affected by ongoing heavy rains that have claimed lived of hundreds of people and displaced thousands.

According to the UN humanitarian agency, at least 280 people have been killed and more than 2.8 million others affected by the heavy downpour in the region. 

Meteorological agencies predict that the rains will continue for the better part of December.

Governments in the region have urged people living in vulnerable areas to relocate to safer grounds to avoid any further loss of lives.