By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Amidst the Eastern Cape’s devastating floods, with fatalities and widespread damage, the South African Weather Service warned of further severe weather in KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN was issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for extreme winds and heavy rains, brought on by the cut-off low system which may have resulted in the formation of a funnel cloud, or tornado.
Multiple areas in the province have been left devastated by an intense storm and also what appears to be a large tornado.
South African Weather Service (SAWS), forecaster Siphesihle Dlamini said that they received multiple videos of a tornado-like storm and will confirm tomorrow the exact nature of the event.
“We did have a severe thunderstorm alert, tornados are possible with severe storms however, for this tornado, we will need somebody like a credible source because we do not have radar coverage in Newcastle or any sort of live data at this point that can verify a tornado.”
The Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) Tongaat operations became inundated with calls for assistance from residents from 4.38pm.
“All available reaction officers and Rusa paramedics were immediately dispatched to assist with the high volume of call-outs,” Rusa said in a statement.
Rusa said several homes in Magwaveni and Sandfields had collapsed.
Trees were uprooted, blocking roads and causing major traffic jams. Several vehicles were also damaged.
Our thoughts with those affected by the Tornado in Tongaat and surrounding areas in KZN https://t.co/VDIvWzZWUu #ArriveAlive @ReenvalSA @afriwx @Dotransport @rtia_aarto @TrafficRTMC @kzngov pic.twitter.com/IBMjvj1T1o
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 3, 2024
eThekwini Municipality said the City’s disaster management teams have been on the ground responding to emergencies since 4:20 pm, after adverse weather conditions battered parts of the city, causing severe damage to households, schools, municipal property, businesses and infrastructure.
“Emergency response teams have been deployed and are on the ground to provide emergency relief to those affected. Disaster management teams are compiling reports to ensure a consolidated government response. We also have law enforcement agencies on the ground, including Metro Police and Fire and Emergency personnel who are attending to those in distress,” said eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda in a statement.
“The most significant damages have been reported in the uThongathi area, parts of the Durban Central Business District, Umgababa and surrounding areas. In the western part of the city, fallen trees have blocked roads in Fields Hill, Gillits and Assagay. Heavy rains have also caused localised flooding in some parts of the city,” the statement read.
It added that the mayor will visit affected areas on Tuesday morning to assess the extent of the damage.
“Mop-up operations will begin once assessments have been completed. The immediate priority is to ensure the safety of those affected.”