777 people, 5 schools affected by windstorm

The severe windstorm that swept through the country on Monday night left a total of 777 people affected.
These were from 157 households located in areas under 15 Constituencies, mostly in Manzini and Hhohho Regions. This is according to a situational analysis by the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA).

The reports stated that infrastructure, including houses and public buildings such as churches were battered by the wind that blew at a speed that exceeded 100 km/h.
It was also stated that three church structures were not spared from the winds. A majority of these structures had their roofs blown away, leaving occupants exposed to the biting cold.

NDMA also reported that there were over 5 000 faults reported with the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC).
Contributing to this was the high number of electricity poles being brought down by the winds.
This also resulted in traffic congestions in some areas including Mbabane, where motor vehicles leaving Mbabane and those coming into the city were forced to share the two-lane road usually used by motorists heading down Malagwane Hill.

In response to the affects, NDMA Communications Manager Magman Mahlalela said in coordination with the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BRECS), they initiated a rapid needs assessment to determine the full scale of damage and to prioritise immediate relief and recovery interventions.
“To date, emergency tarpaulins have been distributed to six severely affected households, with more support underway.

The assessment will guide the deployment of additional relief supplies, restoration of essential services, and medium-term recovery planning,” said Mahlalela.
Meanwhile, Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BRECS) Public Relations Officer Nontobeko Dlamini said by noon yesterday, the organisation had received requests for assistance from people in seven areas.

She said the affected places reported at the time were Motshane, Makhungutja, Mafutseni, Maplotini, Nsubane, Bambitje, and kaDlovunga.

Five schools affected, children sent home
By end of business yesterday, five schools were reportedly affected by the windstorm.
These schools included Mphini , Usuthu Methodist and Mhlambanyatsi Primary Schools in the Manzini Region and Mcuba and Ndlalambi Nazarene Primary Schools in the Hhohho region, who had their roofs blown away.
Meanwhile, two classes at Lavundlamanti and two staff houses at Maloyi Primary School were reported in the Lubombo Region.