Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has dispatched its disaster management teams to respond and assess the extent of damage caused by the severe storm in Uthukela and Umzinyathi Districts.
On Monday, a raging storm swept across Ezakheni township and Tugela Ferry, ripping roofs off numerous houses and leaving their inhabitants homeless.
The storm started early in the evening and lasted for about 30 minutes. There are no reported deaths but over 40 people in the area of Tugela Ferry are being treated in nearby hospitals and clinics for injuries. All injuries were sustained as a result of flying debris and falling roofs.
In Umzinyathi, an elderly woman passed away when her roof collapsed on her. MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has sent her condolences to the family of the deceased.
MEC Dube-Ncube reported that relief aid in the form of tents and food parcels are being provided by the department teams, which are on site and monitoring the situation closely.
She said that the Umzinyathi District, particularly Msinga, appears to be the most affected, according to the preliminary information.
“As much as we appreciate the rains that have fallen on large parts of KZN in recent days, we are on alert as some storms have been severe, causing flash flooding and damage to property. Residents are advised to be vigilant.
“In recent months, the province has faced two contradictory but equally serious crises: on the one hand, we have been fighting the most severe drought in two decades, while on the other we have attended to numerous storms and flash flooding,” said MEC Dube-Ncube.
She has assured residents that the situation is under control and that the department’s disaster management teams are on site distributing disaster relief and are on alert for further storms.
“Affected residents are advised to contact their local municipality or Cogta toll-free number – 0800 000 953/4,” said the MEC. – SAnews.gov.za
