A hailstorm across different parts of the country on Thursday evening, is said to have destroyed crops in various districts. Two children have also been reported dead after a flood in Kabarondo sector, Kayonza District. Officials are yet to give more information on the tragedy. Felicite Umwanzintabakure, a farmer from Gakenke District, told The New Times that the storm affected beans that are still germinating in her farm. “Yesterday, the hailstorm damaged beans planted in Season B and other crops in Minazi sector,” she said. Also affected is Coko Sector where the strong wind damaged trees, including coffee plantations. ALSO READ: Farmers affected by hailstorm decry lack of seeds “The hailstorm had a very strong wind,” Apollinaire Munyakabanza, a motorcyclist in Gakenke, told The New Times. At least 200 hectares of different crops were affected, according to Gakenke district officials. Jean Marie Vianney Nizeyimana, the mayor of Gakenke District, said damages are still being assessed. So far, it is reported that 82 hectares of beans, 64 hectares of banana plantations, 51 hectares of coffee trees, 10 hectares of tomatoes, and three hectares of Irish potatoes were destroyed. No deaths have been registered by the authorities in Gakenke District. In Rongi Sector of Muhanga District, a hailstorm killed livestock and damaged two hectares of Irish potatoes and two hectares of sweet potatoes. Local leaders said they are still assessing the damages. ALSO READ: Meteo Rwanda explains rare heatwave in Kigali The New Times spoke to the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management to know the status of damages across the country, but had not yet responded by publishing time. The expected rainfall from March to May may lead to extreme weather events such as flooding, landslides, and strong winds in some parts of the country, Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned. Heavy rains of between 500-600 millimetres are expected in southern parts of Nyaruguru District, Musanze and most parts of Burera. It is also expected over northern parts of Nyabihu and Gakenke districts. ALSO READ: Forecaster warns of floods in parts of the country Rainfall of 400 and 500 millimetres is expected in most parts of northern, southern and western provinces, as well as in western parts of Nyarugenge and in north western parts of Gasabo District. At least 41 houses, classrooms in two schools, and one church were damaged in Rubavu district. One house collapsed and injured five people. Three of the victims were rushed to a health centre and others to Gisenyi hospital.
