FARMERS ASSESS IMPACT OF KHARAS, HARDAP STORMS - nbc

Over the past few days, the Kharas and Hardap regions have experienced heavy rain and hailstorms. To gain insight into how this weather has affected local farmers, NBC News spoke to local farmer Jacob Kruger, who said that his livestock were not harmed despite the harsh weather conditions. Kruger's farm, Kleinfontein, is located about 60 km outside Maltahohe along the Maltahohe-Helmeringhausen road in the Berseba constituency of the ||Kharas region. This area is one of those that have experienced a hailstorm since last night. He claims his livestock has not been affected by the storm, as it was not that severe. "Fortunately, none of our livestock has been affected by the rain because the lambs are already a bit bigger and the goats and sheep are still in good condition. We have not lost any livestock to this rain," says Kruger. He further advised fellow farmers to keep their animals warm during this cold, windy and wet weather, especially the young ones, as they are the most vulnerable to these sorts of harsh conditions. "Farmers should keep the shelters closed, even if it's by using old corrugated iron sheets or any other material to cover them so that the animals don't get wet. After the rain there is always a very cold wind, and it is the cold wind that affects the animals." The news team sought a comment from the Berseba constituency councillor Rymond Jossop, who has urged farmers to remain on high alert and take necessary precautions to protect their livestock. "My plea is just for them to be as honest as they should be in high alert because the rain of last night has shown that it came with a hailstorm, and that poses a risk to animal loss. All the farmers in that area and communal area are just advised that they should cover and give necessary protection to the life and property they have, particularly the small stock because the small stock is exposed to these harsh weather conditions, so in a nutshell, that is the plea for my constituents."