By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A man has been killed during a severe storm that struck Empangeni and other areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
Thunderstorms, heavy rains and winds hit a number of areas, including eNseleni and eMhlanga.
uMhlathuze Municipality’s mayor Xolani Ngwezi says the man was killed while at work at the Five Ways Mall in Empangeni.
Two others were also injured.
Ngwezi says there was also damage to property and 20 families had to find shelter elsewhere.
He added that apart from households, municipal buildings such as the Empangeni civic centre and fire station, Richards Bay airport, business premises and hospitals were also affected.
“Disaster response teams are on the ground cutting and removing trees.”
Motorists have been warned to drive with caution because of trees strewn across roads.
This was Empangeni game this afternoon after a massive storm! pic.twitter.com/H0jnHTEBNE
— Storm Report SA (@StormReportSA1) April 3, 2023
Power utility Eskom said the storm caused power outages in eNseleni, Kwambonambi, Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe and Mkuze.
“Restoration may take long due to access problems. Customers are urged to treat all installations as live.”
The SA Weather Service has issued a yellow level 2 warning of severe thunderstorms across areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
These thunderstorms will be accompanied by strong winds, severe lightning, heavy downpours and hail in places,” SAWS said.
The forecaster added this could result in localised flooding in low-lying settlements, bridges and susceptible roads, localised damage to infrastructure settlements and livestock as well as difficult driving conditions due to slippery roads and decreased visibility.
SA Weather Service added that isolated showers and thundershowers are also predicted for parts of the Eastern Cape.