Agric. & Environment
Heavy rain destroys crops, houses in Sheema municipality
Residents said the heavy rain and strong winds destroyed several houses and crops, especially banana plantations, cassava, yams, coffee and beans, leaving some families struggling to recover from the losses.
Heavy rain and strong winds destroyed several houses. (Photo by Bruno Mugizi)
By: Bruno Mugizi, Journalist @New Vision
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More than 100 families in Rushozi ward, Sheema municipality, Sheema district, are counting losses after heavy rain accompanied by strong winds destroyed crops and houses on Wednesday evening.
The affected families are from Kyerima, Ncwezi, Rwentaka, Ahabugamba and Migamba villages, where the rain lasted for about three hours.
Residents said the heavy rain and strong winds destroyed several houses and crops, especially banana plantations, cassava, yams, coffee and beans, leaving some families struggling to recover from the losses.
The rain came after the area had gone for about five months without significant rainfall.
Heavy rain and strong winds destroyed several houses, especially banana plantations. (Photo by Bruno Mugizi)
Some residents said the destruction had come at a difficult time because many had recently received Government-supported loans through the Parish Development Model (PDM) and invested the money in agriculture and other income-generating activities.
They said the loss of crops could make it difficult for them to provide food for their families and meet school expenses for their children.
Edridah Kyohirwe, the Rushozi ward women councillor, said the destruction was worrying because many residents had invested borrowed money in agriculture.
“Many people had borrowed money and invested it in their crops, but now those crops have been destroyed. We are worried about how they will repay the loans and support their families,” Kyohirwe said.
She appealed to moneylenders to give the affected residents more time to repay their loans and urged the Government to intervene and support the families.
Monic Nkabahira, the deputy speaker of Sheema Municipality and female councillor for Rushozi Ward, called for an assessment of the damage and urgent support for the affected residents.
“We appeal to the Members of Parliament representing Sheema, the Sheema District Woman MP and the municipal disaster management team to come and assess the situation and see how these families can be helped,” Monic said.
She warned that without support, the affected families could face increased food insecurity and financial difficulties.
The government has warned communities to prepare for increased rainfall during the September to December season, with the Ministry of Water and Environment forecasting near-normal to above-normal rains in several parts of the country.
Authorities have cautioned that the heavy rains could increase the risk of flooding, landslides, soil erosion and damage to roads, homes and crops, urging residents in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures.
Monic Nkabahira, the deputy speaker of Sheema Municipality and female councillor for Rushozi Ward, called for an assessment of the damage and urgent support for the affected residents.
“We appeal to the Members of Parliament representing Sheema, the Sheema District Woman MP and the municipal disaster management team to come and assess the situation and see how these families can be helped,” Monic said.
She warned that without support, the affected families could face increased food insecurity and financial difficulties.
The government has warned communities to prepare for increased rainfall during the September to December season, with the Ministry of Water and Environment forecasting near-normal to above-normal rains in several parts of the country.
Authorities have cautioned that the heavy rains could increase the risk of flooding, landslides, soil erosion and damage to roads, homes and crops, urging residents in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures.