Villagers in Nyandoro area in Marondera Rural District Council were left counting their loss after their crops and homes were destroyed by a hailstorm which hit the area last week. The harsh weather conditions currently being witnessed across the country continue to wreak havoc after it destroyed crops and livestock in 4 villages under Chief Nyandoro. The villagers who include Matemai Village Head Mr Frank Ganzva and Mr Fungai Shuzu who is lucky to be alive after he was hit and left injured by hailstones, were caught unawares and are appealing for assistance as their maize and tobacco crops are a write-off. Roofs of some houses were also blown off. “We are appealing for assistance as we do not expect anything from our crops after they were all destroyed by the storm,” said Mr Ganzva. “I have never seen such big hailstones in my life, I could have died had I not rushed to a nearby homestead,” Mr Shuzu said. Marondera District Administrator Mr Clemence Masawi whose team from the District Civil Protection Committee visited the area to assess damage, appealed for assistance to assist the affected families. “We are appealing to our partners and other well-wishers to come on board and assist the affected families,” said Mr Masawi. A total of 80 families from the four villages namely Tapemera, Matemai, Ngwarati and Nyaguse suffered various losses and are in urgent need of food and shelter. This comes barely a month after more than 100 families in Maramba Pfungwe were left homeless by a hailstorm which also killed an 8-year old girl while early this month 40 houses were destroyed in Chivhu. Source - http://www.zbc.co.zw