WEDNESDAY STORM: 91 HOUSEHOLDS, 455 PEOPLE AFFECTED

NHLAMBENI - The storm, which was accompanied by strong winds, lightning, heavy rain and hail, left a trail of destruction in some parts of the country, including Ngonini.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) situation report, which was released by the agency’s Communications Manager, Magman Mahlalela yesterday, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Kingdom of Eswatini was hit by a severe thunderstorm, which was characterised by strong winds, lightning, heavy rain and hail.
He said this destructive weather caused widespread damage across the kingdom and marked the second severe weather phenomenon within a month, the first of which affected over 371 households.

Impacted

Mahlalela said their preliminary reports indicate that 91 households, comprising 455 individuals, were severely impacted, with many homes sustaining significant damage, including roofs blown off and broken windows.  Some of the areas which were affected by the storm include Mafutseni, Nhlambeni, Manzini South, Dvokodvweni and Mplonjeni. Others are Lobamba Lomdzala, Zombodze Emuva, Matsanjeni South, Mhlangatane and Ntfonjeni.  This publication visited Ngonini, under Nhlambeni Inkhundla in the Manzini Region, that is one of the affected areas and found that some of the structures which were damaged include police institutional houses and an administration block at Ngonini Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU), offices of Apostolic Faith Mission International, ablution block of Damaseko Primary School and a number of homes.

Meanwhile, according to Mahlalela, in some areas, the hailstorm caused damage to agricultural lands, particularly maize fields and vegetable crops, compounding the challenges faced by the affected communities.  The communications manager said the storm also disrupted critical infrastructure, with electricity power lines heavily impacted, as over 4 850 power outages were reported nationwide, which is something that affected the daily life of emaSwati and access to essential services.  He said unpaved road infrastructure in some areas was also severely damaged by the high-intensity rainfall, which further hindered mobility and access to affected communities.

Affected

He added that some of the structures that were reported to be affected include; Mthonjeni High School’s sanitation facilities and a national care point at Mafutseni. Thereafter, he said as an agency, in collaboration with the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BERCS) and with assistance from community volunteers, they are rendering relief assistance to address the immediate needs of those affected. He said their teams are also conducting assessments to determine the full extent of the damage.  By close of business yesterday, six households were supported with relief materials, including tarpaulins to provide temporary shelter for affected families.

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