RUSIZI - Heavy rains characterized by hailstorm on Tuesday destroyed more than five residential houses and several hectares of crops in Giheke Sector, Rusizi District.

According to local leaders, the most affected areas were Kigenge, Kamuhozi and Isha cells, where coffee trees which farmers say had reached flowering stage, were destroyed. 
"We got fertilizers on credit and received lessons on how to improve coffee yields. I wonder how we shall be able to pay yet our crops have been ruined,” lamented Langwida Mukangabo, one of the affected residents.

The rains lasted approximately 40 minutes but the losses were severe. Even houses that weren’t totally destroyed lost iron sheets.

"What should I say? As you can see my house has been washed away. I totally have nothing, I just feel like fleeing to another place,” said Console Habimana, another resident. 

This was the second time that such a downpour and hailstorm were experienced in the area, residents said. The first time was in 2007 when they incurred severe losses. 
Local authorities appealed to the district to support the affected people.

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