Widespread destruction caused by heavy rains in KZN

KwaZulu-Nata Provincial Disaster Management teams are assisting communities battered by heavy rainfall and strong winds that caused widespread destruction, particularly in Mtubatuba in the northern part of the province where at least four people lost their lives due to a thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds over the weekend. 

Storm caused servere damage to houses and infrastructure

The storm ripped roofs off houses and caused damage to infrastructure, including power cables, roads, bridges, and vehicles.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), more than 70 houses in the Somkhele and KwaMyeki areas have been identified as destroyed and some houses suffered complete damage, rendering families homeless. 

Reports of damaged vehicles and in certain areas Eskom poles and cables were scattered across roads and people’s properties. Community halls and churches have opened their doors to the public, while others have sought alternative accommodation with relatives.

In the Harry Gwala District, the Greater Kokstad Municipality also experienced heavy rains and a hailstorm in the Pakkies Location. At least six households were affected, but no reported fatalities, injuries, or displaced individuals but have been reported. 

In the Umzimkhulu Municipality, heavy rains in the Madakeni location affected four households, with no fatalities reported, while in the Umgungundlovu District, about 23 households in the Rosetta informal settlement under the Mpofana Local Municipality were affected by the hailstorm on Saturday.

In Ulundi, under the Zululand District Municipality, a block of rental rooms was blown away by strong winds, with no reported injuries.

disaster management teams to provide relief to affected families

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi has conveyed her sincere condolences to the families and friends affected by the incidents. 

Sithole-Moloi said disaster management teams will continue on-site assessments and provide relief including mattresses, blankets, food, and plastic sheeting.

“We are collaborating with other government departments, such as social development and human settlements, to aid all victims. Our teams, in conjunction with municipalities, will persist in assessments to determine necessary government intervention. 

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“We extend condolences to those who lost loved ones during this period. While we acknowledge that certain incidents are unavoidable, such as the thunderstorm with strong winds that devastated houses in Mtubatuba, we encourage communities to take safety precautions, such as relocating to safer areas where possible,” Sithole-Moloi said. 

As heavy rains persist across various parts of the province, the MEC said provincial disaster management teams remain on high alert.

She said ongoing assessments will lead to an updated report, once the preliminary findings are consolidated.

The MEC will today visit the affected families in Mtubatuba to convey her condolences to the families, and also conduct an assessment of the extensive damages in the area, where several homes were destroyed.