RESIDENTS from all four regions of the country are having sleepless nights as the rains continue to pelt down.
From Kukhanyeni in the Manzini region and surrounding areas, residents have found themselves stranded for nearly two weeks due to relentless torrential rains.
According to Remember Matsenjwa, the former Indvuna Yekhundla of the constituency, the ongoing downpours had rendered most roads impassable, particularly in areas such as Nyakeni.
“I witnessed a woman crossing a swollen stream with a baby on her back desperate to reach safety. She was literally risking both her life and that of her child,” he recounted.
He said in a truly alarming incident just yesterday he saw two young children navigating a flooded river while carrying bread.
“This illustrates how desperate they have become, willing to put themselves in danger just to satisfy their hunger,” he remarked.
A similar scenario is faced in the Hhohho region as residents have stated that the overflowing Mlumati River has expanded beyond its normal boundaries, closing key roads and making movement impossible.
Unable to Reach Essential Services
As a result, communities have been unable to reach hospitals, clinics, and nearby towns for more than two weeks.
A resident of Mganda, Vikimpi Shongwe, said the situation had become dire.
“We have been completely cut off for over two weeks now. We cannot go to hospitals or clinics,” he said.
Shongwe explained that Mganda does not have a nearby clinic, with the closest being Ntfonjeni Clinic, which is far and currently unreachable due to damaged gravel roads and flooded sections of the river.
“The gravel roads are badly damaged and the Mlumati River has flooded, closing the road completely,” he added.
The situation is no different in the Shiselweni region as houses continue to collapse with roads being impossible to access.
