Expect more storms in KZN

Reports of utter devastation have emerged in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s tornado which touched down in Mpolweni, outside Wartburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, as rescue teams fanned out in the rural area.

And South African Weather Service communications manager Hannelee Doubell warned about a high risk of further severe weather conditions.

“KwaZulu-Natal is expected to be particularly affected,” said Doubell.

“With the high amounts of rain that have already been experienced, the risk for flooding is very high in places.”

The service will continue to monitor this weather system and issue updates, Doubell said.

So far, two people have been confirmed dead, with dozens injured by collapsing walls and flying debris. Homes across Mpolweni, Thokozani and neighbouring Albert Falls dam, were destroyed.

Relief operations headed by provincial government, including police, fire and rescue and both state and private ambulance services, were in full swing yesterday morning.

Amateur video footage captured by multiple witnesses showed a large funnel cloud descending and then the base of the tornado rapidly widening as it tore a path of destruction across the area. The tornado was on the ground for several minutes.

It damaged an Eskom power distribution centre, leaving communities and first responders in the dark and hampering the assessment and deployment of disaster management resources.

Eskom’s KZN spokesperson Joyce Zingoni said yesterday: “[A total of] 15 networks to the Mpolweni, Dalton, Wartburg and other areas were affected, resulting in approximately 15 000 customers being interrupted.

“Supply to about 5 000 customers was restored overnight and work is currently going on to restore power to the affected customers ... Some structures and lines are down, so restoration will take longer than usual.”

Meanwhile, Pietermaritzburg residents on Tuesday night launched a drive to collect blankets, canned food, bottled water and toiletries for the survivors.

Humanitarian aid group Gift of the Givers’ Hlengiwe Mkhwanyana and her team visited the affected areas to offer relief aid.

– Additional reporting by Maritzburg Sun and Capital Newspapers