… Authority encourages change of crops to be grown
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE- The National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRMA) has warned the nation of a predicted El Nino-induced drought this year and has urged the nation to save food for future as it is the harvesting period.
Magman Mahlalela the Manager Communications at the NDRMA, relayed the message on May 6, 2026 on national radio, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Service’s (EBIS) Tindzaba Letishisako Morning Show.
Mahlalela informed listers that the authority worked closely with Eswatini Meteorological Service and they have observed over time the change in weather patterns as a result of clime change globally.
“What I think is important to report to the nation and all His Majesty the King’s people, is that we have been informed by the World Meteorological Organisation that an El Nino-induced drought has been predicted this year,” said Mahlalela.
He further explained that for those who may not be aware, El Nino was a climatic condition where extreme hot weather conditions are to be experienced. He said the rise in temperatures meant there will be scarcity in rainfall. Mahlalela said these are the predictions of the World Meteorological Organisation as things stand.
“As the NDRMA we are closely monitoring developments of the predicted situation. We want to urge Emaswati, since it is the harvesting season, to save food for future in readiness of the predicted situation,” said Mahlalela.
The authority spokesperson further urged the nation to save water and encouraged Emaswati to cultivate crops that need the least amount of water to grow in substitute of the usually grown crops in the country.
Meanwhile, Mahlalela said the Meteorological department continued to foresee indicators of wet weather conditions which are as a result of experienced rainfall in recent days despite the fact that it was now autumn, a season where in Eswatini it is commonly known that rainfall is not expected.
The communications manager said due to the change in weather patterns, it occurs these days that during the winter season, heavy rainfalls pour while the nation expects cold weather conditions without rainfall.
Mahlalela said the heavy rainfalls which resulted in severe infrastructure damage, especially in areas around the Shiselweni region, were predicted by the Meteorological department. He said the authority has dispatched teams to the affected areas around the kingdom to assess the situation and would later deliver a detailed report on the extent of the damage.
According to Mahlalela, it is the understanding of the NDRMA that there has been serious damage of property in some parts of the country. He said families that were mostly affected are those whose homesteads were built from weaker materials such as stick and mud. He said some of the houses built from stick and mud collapsed entirely while other homesteads had their roofs blown off.
Eswatini last experienced a major, devastating El Niño-induced drought during the 2015/2016 agricultural season.
Key Facts About the Last Major Drought (2015/16):
• Severity: Described as the worst drought in 50 years (or 35 years, according to some reports).
• Impact: Over 300,000 people required food assistance, and the government declared a national disaster in February 2016.
• Agricultural Loss: Maize production dropped by 60%, and the country lost over 47,000 cattle.
• Economic Impact: The drought consumed about 7% of the country’s GDP
#EswatiniWarning #SevereWeather #ClimateChange #MeteorologicalDepartment #NDRMA #CropCultivation
(Courtesy Pic)
