Africa-Press – Eswatini. Over 745 people were left in the cold in the Shiselweni region after a storm which caused destruction to 145 homesteads on Saturday.
The affected constituencies were Hosea, Shiselweni I and Somntongo.
National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Communications Manager, Wandile Mavuso, said 36 of the homesteads had their roofing and windows destroyed.
Mavuso said four homesteads at Nokwane under Sithobela were damaged by hail and that the agency was still conducting assessments to confirm the severity of the damage.
He said out of the estimated 10 homesteads that suffered the same fate at Madvubeni under Sithobela last week, a few had been assisted.
He said due to limited resources the agency gave first priority to the most vulnerable households.
“Two households were assisted with roofing material for a one-room and a two-room, building material for a new structure for one household and three tarpaulins were also distributed,” he said.
Mavuso encouraged the nation to pay attention to the daily weather updates because having information was the first step towards preparedness. He said they observed that the most vulnerable and affected structures were those built from light materials and advised against purchasing these.
“We advise that Emaswati should purchase stronger roofing material, preferably from 0.5mm iron sheets upwards because these can withstand hail much better. We also realise that hail is becoming more prevalent in the country, causing serious destruction to windows and roofing.
We strongly recommend that we should buy durable building material to avoid structures being damaged by minor harsh weather events,” he said.
Selby Lukhele from Eswatini Meteorological Service advised the public to take any weather reports pertaining thunderstorms warnings very seriously.
“Thunderstorms have the ability to be destructive and that is why the public should take the announcement of a thunderstorm very seriously,” Lukhele said.
Meanwhile, Nsingizini Bucopho, Selby Gumbi, commended the NDMA, Baphalali Eswatini Red cross Society and Eswatini Electricity Company for promptly responding to the cry for help from people of Nsingizini.
Gumbi said the situation was bad and appealed for help by whatever means possible.
“We ask that whoever can help should help in whatever way that they can. They can help through NDMA, Red Cross or umphakatsi,” he said. Gumbi also revealed that Hluti Central High and Primary schools were also affected as windows were damaged.
“Also teachers’ houses and cars were damaged and we ask the ministry of education to intervene as the teachers’ welfare is very important,” he said.
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