Residents of Nhlangano who were left stranded after January’s destructive floods can now breathe a sigh of relief following the reconstruction of the KaMjuda Bridge, a vital link that was washed away during the heavy storms.
The bridge, which collapsed under the force of torrential rains in early 2025, had left communities disconnected, severely affecting farmers, schoolchildren, and small businesses in the region. The worst-hit areas found themselves isolated as infrastructure and farmland bore the brunt of the flooding.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), working with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MoPWT), has completed most of the reconstruction work. The bridge now supports the flow of traffic once again, restoring essential access for residents who had been cut off for months.
Preliminary recovery work began shortly after the disaster, as government engineers and disaster response teams mapped out a coordinated plan to address the widespread destruction. The effort included rebuilding the collapsed culvert structure and re-establishing access to surrounding communities.
Traffic resumed this month, even as final upgrades — including the installation of guardrails, road signage, and erosion control measures — remain underway. For many residents, however, the return of safe passage is already reshaping daily life.
Local farmers are now able to transport produce to markets, children are once again attending school, and businesses that had seen months of silence have begun receiving customers.
The floods, described by officials as the worst in years, left dozens of roads submerged, homes damaged, and infrastructure weakened across Eswatini. The KaMjuda Bridge, a key crossing point for the Nhlangano area, was among the earliest priorities for emergency reconstruction.
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