Another violent hailstorm smashes crops in Rukungiri

398

RUKUNGIRI– About 1500 families in villages of Buhandagazi, Kanombe, Kyeshero, and Rwenanura all in Nyabitete parish Buyanja Sub County in Rukungiri district are stranded after hailstorms ravaged their area.

The catastrophe, which started yesterday at around 05:45pm lasted for about one and half hours brought down all crops and banana plantations in the area raising concerns of food scarcity in the nearby future.

The families whose crops were destroyed are now seeking help from the government to assist them with seedlings to re-plant and some food to eat saying that it will be hard for them to feed their children.

Jennifer Turyomunsi, Kahingyiriza Manuel, and Allan Muhwezi some of the hailstorm victims revealed that they lost almost their crops, exposing them to a risk of facing hunger in the near future.

They added that some of them were affected by Covid 19 lockdown deciding to get loans and join farming saying that they are now stuck with bank loans

Wilson Buhamire Salongo area chairperson Buhandagazi village revealed that over 300 households in his area were affected and they have started their role as leaders to rescue people and the exercise of registering has commenced where reports will be forwarded to district leaders for more action

Albert Mugisha district councilor Buyanja Sub County confirmed that his team has visited the affected areas to assess the damage explaining that its true and they will forward reports to different authorities.

Mugisha has therefore encouraged hailstorm victims to re-plant quick maturing food stuffs rather than sitting waiting for only government help.

On Thursday last week, heavy down powers also destroyed hundred acres of crops in southern division Rukungiri municipality leaving many with nothing to eat.