MBABANE – The hailstorm, accompanied by strong, winds, which tore through the country on Tuesday, left an estimated 2 280 people from 380 households in unsafe living conditions.
This is according to a situational update released yesterday by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The storm primarily targeted the Hhohho and Manzini regions, causing widespread destruction across public infrastructure, private homes and the agricultural sector, prompting an immediate emergency response from the NDMA and the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BERCS). Nine schools across the affected tinkhundla (including Ndzingeni, Mtfongwaneni, Mafutseni, Mayiwane and Maphalaleni) sustained varying degrees of damage, with broken windows and roof losses recorded.
Two hospitals experienced structural and utility disruptions, severely affecting healthcare delivery in the affected areas. Five community buildings, including chiefdom structures, were also compromised, hindering local coordination efforts.
Residential damage is extensive, with many homes suffering blown-off roofs, collapsed walls, shattered windows and significant water intrusion, leading to temporary displacement for some families.
Meanwhile, the agricultural community is grappling with significant losses. An estimated 140 hectares of crops, including maize, fruit trees and vegetables, were destroyed. Damage to vital irrigation infrastructure, such as drip lines and pumps, further threatens both immediate food security and long-term agricultural recovery in the affected regions.
The storm also severed transport links, with road infrastructure blocked or washed out in several areas, temporarily isolating communities and delaying the deployment of relief teams.
In response to the crisis, the NDMA, in collaboration with BERCS, has activated emergency mechanisms. Initial relief efforts have seen the distribution of 43 tarpaulins to address urgent shelter needs and 12 food parcels to the most vulnerable households.
The NDMA confirmed that coordination with sector stakeholders is ongoing to scale up assistance, with a priority focus on expanding shelter support and facilitating the restoration of essential services.
The agency urged members of the public to report affected households by contacting them at 2409 5500 and provided public safety advice, including reinforcing roofing materials and avoiding flooded roadways.
On the other hand, the country’s power infrastructure also took a major hit. Power outages were reported countrywide, with the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) recording an average of 4 000 faults. The EEC issued a statement on power restoration after the bad weather conditions that took place on Tuesday night, which caused electricity poles to fall, resulting in power outages in most places across the country.
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Business operations halted, causing over E300k loss
BUHLENI — Businesses at Buhleni town were crippled by the heavy storm, with one shop owner reporting stock loss exceeding E300 000.
Following the heavy storm, business operations around Buhleni town were abruptly disturbed; with many vendors busy rebuilding their markets. Stock was damaged in several businesses, including the First National Bank (FNB) Buhleni Branch and the Swaziland Building Society (SBS).
An FNB employee found outside the closed bank said water had flooded the building, but the situation was being handled with an emergency plan. A businessman, Ashfaq Ahmad, known as Makhelwane, reported that his damaged stock from all three of his shops at Buhleni is worth over E300 000. He said furniture and electronics were mostly damaged after water flooded his shop and reached knee level.
Ashfaq said he has made a huge loss, as his stock was purchased with loans and he now faces difficulty repaying them. He noted that one of his shops has insurance, but he is unsure if it will cover the storm damage.
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Minister, NDMA visit, assess affected areas
BUHLENI — Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and NDMA yesterday assessed storm damage across northern Hhohho, affecting homes and four Tinkhundla.
The Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, represented the Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla, when assessing the storm’s aftermath. He was accompanied by National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Chief Executive Officer Victor Mahlalela.
The minister promised that government would do everything possible to resolve the massive damage affecting many emaSwati. He stressed the need for government and all ministries to unite to address the situation, especially the damage at Mkhuzweni Health Centre.
Homesteads were affected under the Mayiwane Inkhundla, specifically at Emfasini and Mavula chiefdoms. Schools were also extensively damaged. At Herefords High, only two classrooms and one teacher’s house were undamaged. Extensive damage was also witnessed at Mkhuzweni Primary,
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