Storm leaves 12 hospitalised

Residents of Namabasa I village in Mbale District inspect a house whose roof was carried away by a storm on Tuesday. PHOTO BY FRED WAMBEDE

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The officer in-charge of Salem Health Centre IV, Mr John Yaaka, said the patients, mostly children and the elderly, were admitted with chest pain and limb injuries but their condition was improving

Mbale. At least 12 people have been hospitalised after a hailstorm ravaged three villages in Mbale District on Tuesday evening.
The storm also left more than 100 houses and at least five acres of crops destroyed in Namabasa I Upper, Namabasa IV and Kolonyi villages in Nakaloke Sub-county.
The LC3 chairperson, Mr Muhammed Putte, told Daily Monitor that the storm, which started at around 3pm, lasted about an hour and blew off roofs of several houses in the area.
“It lasted for one hour and the impact felt was huge. About 12 people are hospitalised as a result of the storm,” Mr Putte said.

He said the injured were receiving treatment at Salem Brotherhood Health Centre IV but could lack shelter after being discharged as their houses have been damaged.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Shaban Kachimete, said he had already sent communication to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over the disaster.
“We have assessed the damage and we are in touch with OPM to see how we can assist the victims. For now we have called Red Cross to erect tents for the victims who have no shelter and we have asked them (Red Cross) to provide them with food items,” Mr Kachimete said.
The officer in-charge of Salem Health Centre IV, Mr John Yaaka, said the patients, mostly children and the elderly, were admitted with chest pain and limb injuries but their condition was improving.