Disaster Hits Kandep

Hailstorm and Heavy Rain Cause Flooding and Destroy Food Gardens in Kasu Village, Kandep Enga Province.

Residents of Kasu Village are counting their losses after a powerful hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain hit the area earlier this week, causing severe flooding and widespread destruction to food gardens and local properties.

According to local villagers, the storm began suddenly in the afternoon, bringing large hailstones and continuous downpour that lasted for several hours. The intense rainfall quickly overwhelmed creeks and drains, leading to flash floods that swept through food gardens and low-lying areas.

The hailstorm stripped the leaves of food crops such as kaukau (sweet potatoes), taro, beans, and corn, while the heavy flooding uprooted plants and destroyed newly planted gardens. Livestock and poultry were also affected, with some households reporting losses of small animals and damaged shelters.

Community members described the event as one of the worst weather incidents in recent years.

“We have never seen hail this big before. It was like ice falling from the sky, and our gardens are completely gone,” said one resident from Kasu Village.

The storm has left many families worried about food shortages in the coming weeks, as their primary source of food and income has been destroyed.

Leaders from Mariant Local Level Government have called on the Enga Provincial Disaster Office and District Administration to assess the damage and provide relief support to affected families.

“Many of our people rely entirely on their gardens for survival. This disaster has destroyed their food and livelihood, and we urgently need assistance,” said a Mariant LLG spokesperson.

The flood also caused soil erosion along riverbanks and minor landslides in nearby hilly areas. Local youths and community groups have begun clearing debris and repairing small access roads and footbridges that were damaged by the storm.

Weather authorities have warned that more unpredictable rain and cold weather may continue throughout the season, urging residents to take precautions and avoid traveling during heavy rainfall.

Despite the destruction, villagers in Kasu are working together to restore their gardens and rebuild damaged homes. The local community has shown strong unity, helping each other with replanting and food sharing while awaiting government support.

The hailstorm and floods at Kasu Village in Mariant LLG serve as a reminder of the increasing impact of severe weather patterns on rural communities. As villagers begin recovery efforts, calls for greater disaster preparedness and climate resilience remain more important than ever.