By Trymore Tagwirei

Hundreds of residents in Masvingo were left counting their losses after a heavy hailstorm accompanied by strong winds struck parts of the city on Monday evening.

The storm caused extensive damage to homes, private property and critical city infrastructure, with several residential properties reportedly having their roofs blown off.

Magaret Ncube of Runyararo West said her house roof was damaged.

“I was in town when the rains started and I came home only to see the entire roof blown off,” she said.

Houses in Victoria Ranch, Runyararo West, Mucheke and other areas were damaged by the storm.

Windows, windowpanes and sliding gates were also damaged or completely destroyed, while several vehicles suffered damage to their windscreens. Solar panels and other household infrastructure were also affected.

In a statement, Masvingo Mayor Aleck Tabe said the extent of the damage was significant, with several families left with their homes exposed to the elements.

“As part of the City’s immediate response and mitigation measures, Mucheke Hall and Rujeko Hall have been opened to accommodate affected families and provide temporary safe storage for furniture and other household belongings,” said Tabe.

He urged residents whose homes had been severely affected to make use of the facilities while further assistance and assessments were being coordinated.

The City of Masvingo, together with the Masvingo District Civil Protection Unit, is coordinating the response and assessing the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Chief Director Nathan Nkomo confirmed households had been affected and said no injuries had been reported.

“We received calls that hundreds of households have been affected.

“The wind uprooted trees and a car was damaged in the process. No injuries have been recorded so far,” said Nkomo.

He said assessments were still underway to establish the full extent of the damage

Some residents, however, said they had expected leaders in civil society to do more to assist those affected by the disaster. “It is now getting to 20 hours after the disaster, and civil society is quiet, and is not even sensitizing and mobilizing its members and the public. We would anticipate those in the humanitarian sector of civil society to lead in emergency response,” said Masvingo resident Silverster