Severe torrential rains, accompanied by hail and violent winds, have caused widespread destruction in the Kiguhu and Mugondo zones of Mpinga Kayove Commune in Ruyigi Province, eastern Burundi. Over 650 households have been left in total despair, with crops destroyed and homes swept away by the floods.
The heavy rains, which struck on Saturday evening, devastated more than 400 hectares of farmland, affecting a variety of crops such as beans, maize, and bananas. The disaster has also resulted in the destruction of 40 homes, according to reports from the Burundi Red Cross Rutana branch.
The hardest-hit areas include the Rutoke, Ngara, and Mugondo hills, where 271 hectares of crops were destroyed, leaving over 380 households severely impacted. In Ngara, the storm destroyed 120 hectares of crops belonging to 250 families, while Mugondo saw 128 hectares of crops lost and 11 households damaged. Additionally, Kiguhu hill was affected, with 29 homes and a Pentecostal church destroyed. Many victims are now homeless, sheltering with neighbors.
The victims are in urgent need of immediate assistance, as they are without shelter and fear impending famine. With no crops left to sustain them, they face a desperate situation. Local authorities are calling on charitable organizations and individuals to provide support to the affected communities.
This devastating storm follows a series of similar weather events in Burundi, with severe rains recently hitting other parts of the country. Last week, a violent storm struck Mugamba commune in Bururi province, southern Burundi, severely damaging crops and leaving farmers in need of urgent aid. In November, another storm hit Gashikanwa Commune in Ngozi province, affecting nearly 10,000 households. A similar storm also struck Mugina commune in Cibitoke province, destroying around 16 hectares of crops.
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