A preliminary report released by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has revealed that a total of 1 410 people from 266 households were affected by the heavy rains that the country experienced over the weekends and early hours of yesterday.

According to this report, all rivers in the country reported flooding including streams (both perennial and seasonal) resulting in washing away of several low-level bridges and mud slide especially along the road sides.

“Rock falls were also reported damaging people’s houses and road infrastructure. Flooding was also reported in urban areas causing damage to parking areas and urban infrastructure,” added the disaster management agency.

Meanwhile, the Shiselweni region had the highest number of people who were displaced by the cyclone followed by the Manzini Region.

Affected people breakdown by region as of yesterday:

• Hhohho 34 households damaged:170 people affected
• Lubombo 22 households: 110 people affected
• Manzini 77 households: 425 people affected
• Shiselweni 133 households: 705 people affected

Other impacts by Cyclone Eloise include:

•Mbabane, Siphocosini road temporality blocked due to rock fall.

•Malagwane partially closed limiting traffic flow along the MR3 Highway.

•Mudslide/landslide reported in areas including Mncitsini, Manzana, Mangwaneni, Mpolonjeni and a host of others.

•All gravel roads around the country extensively damaged, with low level bridges flooded and some completely washed away.

•Urban infrastructure damaged including Mbabane mall, Emfuleni resort

•Drowning of people and vehicles washed away reported.

•A number of road accidents due to water logging on roads.

Humanitarian Response Interventions

•People at Game 5 evacuated to temporal shelter and have been provided with food items and blankets

•3 trapped civilians were airlifted by joint operation using the UEDF helicopter at Sidvokodvo in the Great Usuthu river

•Emergency response items (food, tarpaulins, blankets, tents) have been pre-positioned to assist affected communities.

•As soon as all areas become accessible, food parcels will be distributed to affected house-holds.

•Rapid assessment will commence on the 26 January 2021