By Phephile Motau
Eswatini experienced the wettest February since 1981. This is according to information provided by the Eswatini Meteorological Services.
The department said the country had a country average of 440mm, while the long-term average is 130mm. Lucky Sigudla said rainfall ranged from 180 per cent to 580 per cent of what is normally received in February.
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The above-average rainfall was attributed to a series of cut-off low-pressure systems. Sigudla said over 250mm was recorded over 24 hours in Mhlume on February 9.
This was when parts of the Lowveld became flooded, damaging infrastructure. On February 12, Mbabane and Pigg’s Peak recorded 24-hour rainfall of 116mm and 151mm respectively.
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The country also faced the threat of Cyclone Freddy over the month, but fortunately, it was not affected as the cyclone lost its strength and moved northwards when it made landfall in Mozambique.
