Storm leaves over 2,000 households in hail

PIC: Children collecting snow from the destroyed banana planations

WEATHER | CATASTROPHIES

MBARARA - Over 2,000 households in Bukiro sub-county, Kashaari county in Mbarara district were left in disarray after a sporadic storm that broke the short January dry spell recently.

The dousing rains were accompanied by the drumming of thunder, rapid lightning strikes and wind breezes that left coffee and banana plantations down and may semi-permanent buildings on the ground.

The affected villages include Kaziga 1, Kaziga 2, Kakondo and Kagyera all of Bukiro sub-county in Mbarara district.

David Kitengye, the LC3 chairman for Bukiro sub-county advised local leaders of the affected villages to write down the names of the affected households so that they can be submitted to the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness so that they can be helped.

Edith Tubebamwe, the Bukiro sub-county chief, advised residents to stop cutting down trees without planting more, saying trees act as wind-breakers and would go a long way in supporting communities in such extreme vagaries of weather.

"As leaders, we have been preaching the gospel of cut one plant three trees, but the public does not want to listen until such extreme weather events affect them and they start crying for help," Tubebamwe said.
   
Mbarara district is located in western Uganda along with Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju Kisoro, Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese)

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) in the environment ministry says the region has been experiencing dry conditions since December 2017 apart from areas around Kigezi region, which have been experiencing isolated showers.

The onset of steady rains is expected to be established by late February to early March. The peak of the rains is expected around mid-April and the cessation around late May to early June.

Overall, the region is expected to receive near normal with a tendency to above normal rainfall during this season.

Dr. Festus Luboyera, the executive director of the UNMA, says the predicted rains require early action by different stakeholders so as to take advantage of the seasonal rainfall outlook.