NYAKATFO – A raging hailstorm left about 1 445 people in distress and severely damaged infrastructure at four schools in northern Hhohho and in the Lubombo Region on Monday afternoon.
Preliminary findings from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) indicate that 289 households were affected, with an estimated 1 445 people experiencing varying levels of disruption to their shelter and personal assets.
The most severe impacts were identified in the Mhlangatane, Madlangampisi, Maphalaleni, Ndzingeni, Sihhoye and Dvokodvweni tinkhundla.
While the physical damage to property is extensive, no fatalities or injuries had been recorded at the time of the initial assessment.
The storm’s reach extended beyond residential areas, affecting local businesses, market structures and several church buildings, primarily through significant damage to roofing.
Essential services in the affected areas also faced challenges. Disruptions to electricity supply were reported and a number of vehicles were damaged by falling hail. The NDMA identified the most pressing humanitarian needs as temporary shelter support, roofing materials and the restoration of basic services.
The storm hit at about 4:15pm, when families were preparing evening meals and others were returning from daily chores.
Residents described a dark cloud accompanied by heavy rain that suddenly turned to hail.
“Hailstones as big as a golf ball started falling and caused untold damage to rooftops, cars and other properties,” said Mfanimpela Shiba, a resident of Nyakatfo.
Residents said they were relieved that no lives had been lost.
When The Times arrived at Nyakatfo, the area resembled a war zone, with telephone cables and poles on the ground, trees uprooted and rooftops missing from some houses.
Cars had damaged windscreens and lamps. Many families were implementing emergency measures, using cardboard to block broken windows and attempting to replace blown-off roofs.
Officials from the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BERCS) and the NDMA moved from home to home assessing damage and identifying urgent needs.
A sugar cane field was also affected by strong winds, although some farmers said it could still be salvaged as it was nearing harvest.
Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga, who is also Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, said many families spent the night in the cold.
“In most homesteads I visited, windows were shattered and rooftops blown away,” he said.
“As a result, many families need humanitarian aid. They require roofing sheets and windowpanes.”
Mhlanga said sugar cane farmers suffered losses as their fields were damaged.
He said the inkhundla team continued to monitor the situation alongside the NDMA and BERCS.
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Severe weather warning: Storm surge threatens nationwide destruction
BY GCINILE PHUNGWAYO
NHLANGANO – A severe weather warning has been issued across the kingdom as a violent front of thunderstorms and torrential rain threatens to trigger structural damage and localised flooding over the next 48 hours.
The Eswatini Meteorological Service has sounded the alarm, advising the public to prepare for a period of extreme instability beginning yesterday and continuing into tonight.
Forecasters have warned that the storms are likely to be accompanied by damaging gale-force winds and high-intensity downpours that could compromise buildings and infrastructure.
Today, conditions are expected to be predominantly cloudy and mild, though the Lowveld will remain warm.
The atmosphere will be highly volatile, with thunderstorms and heavy rain showers expected across all regions.
Prevailing winds will remain light to moderate, blowing from the south, offering little relief from the moisture-laden air over the country.
The regional temperature outlook suggests that thermometers will remain suppressed under heavy cloud cover.
In the Highveld and surrounding areas, Mbabane, Nhlangano and Pigg’s Peak are expected to record temperatures between 14°C and 16°C, while Hlatikhulu will be cooler at 13°C to 15°C. In the Lowveld, Mhlume and Simunye will see highs of 21°C, with Big Bend and Lavumisa reaching up to 22°C.
This immediate threat comes amid a broader seasonal outlook, with Eswatini experiencing higher-than-average precipitation. The forecast from February to June 2026 indicates generally normal to above-normal rainfall across the country.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
