KwaZulu-Natal storm: 11 people killed, including child
A child is among seven people that were killed in KwaZulu-Natal after adverse weather wreaked havoc in Tongaat and other areas.
The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed that 11 people including a minor were killed as adverse weather conditions wreaked havoc in Tongaat and other parts of the province.
Heavy rains accompanied by strong wind and hail storms battered parts of the province, resulting in extensive damage to households and infrastructure on Monday, 3 June.
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE CAUSED BY ADVERSE WEATHER IN KWAZULU-NATAL
According to KZN Cogta 11 people lost their lives especially in the eThekwini Metro which has been hardest hit. Dozens of people were also treated for injuries in various health care facilities.
Affected residents took to social media to share images of flooded roads, trees fallen, and significant damage to infrastructure such as power lines and roads.
The Tongaat area, in the north of Durban recorded the most incidents, with several homes severely damaged, roofs blown off, and trees falling on electricity lines causing power outages.
KZN Cogta spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said other areas around Durban, including Umgababa, Durban Central, and the western parts of the city, also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to flooding of some households and roads.
“The strong winds also affected communities in the Amajuba District and Umzinyathi District, where houses were damaged by the strong winds in Newcastle, Dannhauser, Nquthu, and surrounding areas,” he said.
SEVERAL IMPACT-BASED WARNINGS ISSUED
Rae said while the cut-off low system will be moving away from the coastal country there is still a risk for isolated communities in high altitude areas of the Eastern Cape such as Barkley East where heavy snowfall is expected.
Following the incidents, Chief forecaster for disaster risk reduction at the South African Weather Service (SAWS) Kevin Rae said that KwaZulu-Natal experienced an outbreak of at least two tornadoes affecting Newcastle, Utrecht, Ballito and Tongaat.
“We strongly advise the public to shelter in position and not to drive on road and mountain passes,” Rae said.
The weather service had issued a number of impact-based warnings to caution residents in various parts of the country.