The chairman of Kafur local government area in Katsina, Garba Kanya, has confirmed that a heavy downpour accompanied by ice pellets destroyed more than 300 farms in eight communities in the area.

The chairman said on Monday in Katsina that heavy rain and ice pellets lasted for over three hours and affected farms and houses in Dutsen-Kura, Kanya and Gozaki wards.

The affected communities were Gidan Sabo, Kabalawa, Unguwar Tsamiya, Dandabo, Unguwar Maigarma, Unguwar Danwada, Unguwar Wanzamai and Unguwar Fulani.

Mr Kanya said several crops, mostly maize, millet, rice, soya beans and pepper, were destroyed.

According to him, the crops destroyed by the disaster are worth millions of naira.

“After the incident, myself in the company of some officials of the Council and the District Head of Kafur, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rabe, were there to sympathize with the people,” said the council boss. “We were conducted round the affected farmlands to see the level of destruction. It was disturbing because many farms and crops were destroyed.”

He added, “I urged them to take the incident in good faith and seek God’s intervention.”

Mr Kanya explained that the local council had reported the incident to the State Emergency Management Agency for its intervention. 

(NAN)