Second KZN twister
ASSESSMENT: PROVINCE COUNTING THE COST OF BERGVILLE TORNADO
Severe weather front expected to move on and a dry weekend is forecast.
Following the thunderstorms and tornadoes wreaking havoc in parts of the country, the South African Weather Service said the country will experience a dry weekend.
The eastern part of the country, particular the KwaZulu-Natal, was ravaged by severe thunderstorms, lightning, gale-force winds, heavy downpours and even tornadoes.
The first destructive tornado touched down near New Hanover on Tuesday afternoon. The weather service confirmed the second tornado touched down in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
In a preliminary report on Wednesday, the provincial executive council in KwaZulu-Natal said the areas affected were eThekwini, AbaQulusi, Jozini, uMgungundlovu, uMzinyathi, Ilembe, Harry Gwala and uThukela.
“Seven hundred and ninety eight households were affected, 14 fatalities have been reported, excluding the latest uMshwathi incident [assessments still ongoing, 19 injuries,” reported the council.
The report remained provisional at this stage, as detailed assessments to quantify the damage are still in progress, following the second tornado.
The KZN department of education issued a memorandum on behalf of head of department Enock Vusumuzi Nzama yesterday which instructed schools to send pupils home who were not writing exams.
He said: “Those who are writing must continue with their planned sessions and be released immediately after finishing. “Where possible, parents must be informed to collect their children to ensure safe return home.”
Weather forecaster Bransby Bulo said the weather was expected to calm down tomorrow as the weather system that had swept the storms into the country was expected to move out by today.
“There is more action in the eastern parts of the county, particularly Mpumalanga and KZN, with active thundershowers and storms.
“We have an alert [yesterday] for severe storms and heavy rain and flooding.”
He also said: “There is a 60% chance of thunderstorms in KZN on Friday and a 30% chance of rain in the Eastern Cape [today].”
However, he added, there would be no rain anywhere in the country tomorrow and on Sunday.
“There will be warm to hot temperatures throughout the country and no rain at all.”
Storms in Mpumalanga and KZN today