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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
SCORES of villagers in Gokwe North have been left homeless after their houses were destroyed by a hailstorm that ripped through the cotton farming district on Friday evening.

Chief Chireya said the hailstorm left a trail of destruction in Chiodza and Chitekete areas.

“Some of the villagers in my area have been left homeless after their homesteads were destroyed by a hailstorm. We received heavy rains on Friday evening and many households were destroyed,” he said.

Chief Chireya said they were appealing to Government for assistance.

“We have already notified the Ministry of Local Government about the matter so that these villagers are assisted as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Administrator Mr Abiot Maronge said Government was still assessing the extent of the destruction caused by the hailstorm.

“We received a report that there were houses that had been destroyed by a hailstorm. Since the rainy season began we have had reports of houses being destroyed. However, we are still assessing the magnitude of the damage. I know that in Gokwe North there are houses that have been destroyed by the rains since the rains started,” he said.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) recently warned of heavy storms accompanied by damaging winds, lightning, hail and flash flooding that could destroy infrastructure.