WARNING: "Ferocious storms" to hit KZN today

[KaNiBaL]

DURBAN - The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and weather forecasters have warned people in the Midlands and the southern parts of the province to be wary of the heavy storm from Friday afternoon.  

SA weather forecaster, Victoria Nurse warned that of heavy showers were expected tonight along the South Coast. The showers would be accompanied by moderate north easterly winds. She warned of the severe thunderstorms in the Midlands, Drakensberg, Newcastle, Ladysmith and also on the KZN South Soast.

“We expect clearance on Saturday morning but this could not be similar to the previous storm early last month. However, we are concerned with heavy rains along the coast,” she said.

Last month, KZN was hit by heavy rains and floods that saw property damaged to the tune of more than R500m and at least 11 people died. More than 42 schools around the province were also damaged.

Damaged 42 schools.

KZN Cogta spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, said the department was calling on people to be extra cautionary. In a statement on Friday, he said ferocious storms were set to hit the Midlands and southern parts of the province.

“Communities are urged to be on alert and to exercise extra caution as they undertake their activities.  The Disaster Management Centres in all areas set to be affected by these inclement weather conditions have been activated and are on high alert to intervene should they be required. However, the first line of defence is the people and their conduct in such life threatening conditions,” said Mabaso.

This takes the number of schools damaged by inclement weather to just under 400 schools in the province as more than 350 others have been damaged in the past two months.

As the heavy rain swept through the province on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people, it also caused damage to 42 schools around the province.

11 confirmed dead.

Durban - Police Search and Rescue teams, EMS and members of private rescue and paramedics services have been working round the clock to try to minimise the human cost of the storm that hit the province on Tuesday.

In a statement, police spokesperson Thulani Zwane said SAPS Search and Rescue Team members had been working non-stop since on Tuesday morning when the storm hit.

“At least 11 fatalities have been reported from Umlazi, Isipingo, Durban Central and KwaMakhutha. Five people are still being sought since they have been reported missing from yesterday,” said Zwane.

 

Three containers still missing at port

He said police had received more than 150 calls related to the storm and had been working tirelessly with other Disaster Management Services to assist the victims.

“Due to yesterday’s weather, people died after they drowned, were struck by falling objects and trapped in vehicles. Police are still working, searching for missing victims.”

There were also a number of dramatic rescues by fire and rescue, paramedics and rescue services, including on the M7, near Sarnia Road, where several people had to be rescued from high floodwaters.

There were rescues in Montclair, Kingsway, Amanzimtoti, and in Umlazi.