Koboko, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A heavy downpour with hailstorm has destroyed crop gardens in the sub-counties of Darjini, Lodonga in Yumbe district and Abuku sub-county in Koboko district.
The heavy rain that lasted for close to an hour started at around 2:30pm on Wednesday afternoon destroying several acres of cassava, beans, simsim, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, bananas, sorghum and rice fields.
The most affected parishes are Limuru, Yiba ward, Galaba in Lodonga town council, while in Drajini sub-county Paladru parish, Olivu and Yaa parishes have also been affected.
Parts of Komba parish in Abuku sub-county Koboko district were also devastated.
Tom Anguyo Male, the LC3 chairman of Lodonga town council says the hailstorm has destroyed most of the gardens in the area, blown off roofs and some animals were swept away. He says the situation is out of control with some residents attempting suicide for fear of looming food insecurity.
In Drajini sub-county, Habib Angupale the LC3 chairman says the trail of destruction left behind by the hailstorm has left people in shock. Angupale says the storm killed 3 cows and 4 goats in his area, destroyed community access roads and buildings. He says they will assess the extent of the destruction and will compile a report to be submitted to the district disaster committee for possible assistance to the affected communities.
Ejosiga Juvan, one of the affected farmers from Paladu parish said he lost one acre of sim-sim, a quarter acre of beans, and four quarters (and acre) of cassava, among other food crops.
He appeals for assistance from government and well-wishers saying all their food crops have been destroyed.
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