Hailstorm Devastates Gandon Town in Kono District, Leaves Residents Injured and Homeless

Residents of Gandon Town, the chiefdom headquarters of Gbanneh Chiefdom in Kono District, have been left in distress following a severe hailstorm that struck the community on Friday, 1st May 2026, destroying dozens of houses and vital public infrastructure, including schools and other community facilities.

The violent weather event caused extensive damage across the town, leaving many families displaced as their homes were either partially or completely destroyed. The incident is part of growing concerns over increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, which have in recent times exposed communities to natural disasters and associated humanitarian challenges.

According to reports, the impact of the hailstorm also resulted in injuries to several residents, including children, women, and men, with some victims sustaining broken limbs and other bodily harm. A number of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the Gandon Health Centre, while those with more serious conditions have been referred to the Koidu Government Hospital for further medical care.

The disaster has also left many women and children homeless, as they are now seeking temporary shelter in neighbouring homes and communities, raising further concerns about their safety and protection.

In addition to the human impact, the hailstorm destroyed two schools in the community, rendering them beyond recognition. The destruction of these educational facilities has raised serious concerns about access to learning, especially with the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) scheduled for 9 May 2026.

Community stakeholders have described the situation as critical and are calling for urgent humanitarian intervention. They are appealing to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and other humanitarian organisations to swiftly come to the aid of affected residents in order to prevent further hardship and deterioration of living conditions in the community.