Two people in Hurungwe District were struck and killed by lightning, while nearly 10 families had their property destroyed during a storm last week.
A lightning bolt struck and killed Alec Mbomboya (24) and Owen Kawara (20) of Kahumwe Village under Chief Kazangarare, while they were grading tobacco.
Mashonaland West Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Margaret Chitove confirmed the deaths, when lightning struck a grass-thatched grading shed.
“The incident occurred in Kahumwe Village under Chief Kazangarare as the now deceased were grading tobacco in a grass thatched hut,” said Insp Chitove.
“We would like to urge people not to use electrical gadgets during a storm as it poses danger with lightning.”
A tree fell on top of a roof during a heavy storm that hit India Village in Nyamakate, Hurungwe recently. Several people in the area had their property including houses, harvested tobacco and curing barns damaged
In Nyamakate, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds left several houses damaged as roofs were blown off while in some cases trees fell on roof tops.
The most affected were tobacco barns which crumbled.
Ward 7 Councillor Nomatter Marisa said nearly 10 families were affected by the storm.
“Houses were affected, with some roofs blown off while in some cases trees fell on them,” said Clr Marisa.
“Tobacco barns were also affected with some people losing or having the crop they had harvested being destroyed.”
Members of a Hurungwe family inspect their damaged tobacco after a barn was destroyed by a heavy storm last week
The most affected villages were India and Tango.
Chief Chundu, born Abel Bhasera, confirmed the development, saying several villagers had lost household property with some businesspeople having their property damaged, including hammer mills.
“The strong winds affected a lot of people in areas such as India and Tango,” he said.
“We are still to get the full extent of the damage, but we are thankful that no life was lost to the storm.”
District Civil Protection Committee chairperson Mr Andrew Tizora said the Government was still compiling data on the ground and will give a detailed report on the incident today. – The Herald
