Heavy rains wreak havoc in Migori
Heavy rains wreak havoc in Migori. Photo/Maroa Jonathan
Farmers in Migori are counting losses after heavy downpour damaged their crops.
The heavy rains accompanied by strong wind and hailstoms left a trail of destruction.
Almost all sub-counties of Migori experienced rain on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to loss of both food and commercial crops.
Speaking to the AVDelta News at Mabera in Kuria West where most people are maize and tobacco farmers, said the rain left nothing but clean fields which needed to be planted again.
“The rain was such horrible, trees were pulled down, all maize plants were swept away as some houses with shaky roofs came down,” said Alphat Nyakiha, a resident
In Nyametaburo sub location, area assistant chief Moses Mabucha confirmed that his people were at risk of hunger as their crops were swept away by heavy rain that was accompanied by strong wind.
"The crops especially tobacco were ravaged by heavy rainfall and hailstorms, afterwhich wind blew the leaves down to River Hibwa," Mr Mabucha said.
The administrator urged tobacco companies to look for possible measures in compensating their farmers as “rain is part of natural calamities”.
Meanwhile in Awendo, locals expressed concern over people who plant trees near human habitats terming it as dangerous due to unstable bases which can easily fall on houses and cause harm.
For the last two(2) days, heavy rain has been recorded in Migori and part of Homa Bay counties after a dry spell that lasted more than two(2) months.
"Many farmers especially maize growers will not harvest much yields as expected. Crops needed rain most but it never appeared timely, leading to more maize to shrink. It has now come but with serious damage," said John Omondi, a Suna East farmer.
