… As the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy predict high water flaws
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- If you are a resident of Luhlelo, Lushikishini and Mankayane, you better read this!
The Water Affairs Department, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, released a statement, notifying the public and communities surrounding Ngwempisi River that high flows, coming from the Republic of South Africa, were anticipated.
According to the statement by Dorcas Dlamini, the Principal Secretary (PS) to the above mentioned ministry, as the country has shared water resources with the South Africa, the anticipated rise in river is accounted to high winds (as experienced on October 9, 2022, causing large water infrastructure to spill over its surplus flows.
“Communities along the Ngwempisi River from Luhlelo, Lushikishini and Mankayane up to the confluence with the Usuthu River at Sidvokodvo are urged to be vigilant and cautious, especially at low level bridges and marked crossings.
“We advise that an alternative route to be used for crossings as a measure to prevent loss of life,” said the PS.
Dlamini went on to say most of the country’s national dams were almost at full storage capacity.
“It is imperative to the public to heed calls on vigilance near water bodies.
“The Department of Water Affairs update the country on any changes to Ngwempisi and other rivers as well as the national dam level which is standard practice in anticipation of the rainy season and its impact on an already water saturated catchment,” said the PS.
