400 HOMES AFFECTED BY HAILSTORM IN THE SOUTH

NHLANGANO – A hailstorm swept across the southern part of the country on Saturday afternoon, causing damage in several communities.

The storm which was accompanied by heavy wind and lightning happened at around 4pm, sending people running for cover.
The places affected were deluged by hailstones, which also caused considerable damage to crops.
About 400 homes were affected in places around Mkhitsini, Maseyisini and Hluthi.

Hosea Member of Parliament Thulani Masuku said in certain homes windows were left shattered.
He said he had not made an assessment of the damage caused by the hailstones.

Meanwhile Shiselweni II MP Mthokozisi Kunene said damage was also reported in areas like Mkhitsini where home owners said the storm left broken windows.
At Maseyisini residents said the storm brought branches down and caused damage to houses and crops.
Sporadic power outages were also reported in places around Nhlangano town.

The Meteorology Department has warned that more hailstorms, strong winds, severe thunderstorms and heavy rains could be witnessed this summer.
Phephisa Sihlongonyane, a weather forecaster earlier told this publication that forecasts showed that there could be more rains that might fall in different parts of the country, over the next coming months.

“Around this time of the year, it is more likely that severe, strong winds, hailstorms and thunderstorms could be experienced.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that more of such hailstorms like the one experienced on Saturday because weather patterns also suggest that there might be more rains that could be experienced in various parts of the country,” he said when asked for an expert opinion on the foul weather that was experienced over the weekend.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: