Electricity network hammered
SEVERAL HOSPITALS AFFECTED
DURBAN’S electricity network was pummelled by the storm that lashed Durban yesterday, resulting in hundreds of outages.
eThekwini Municipality said large parts of the electricity network were severely affected, causing widespread tripping on the network.
A number of affected areas were remotely restored on alternate feeds.
“Supply to Mondi, Sapref, Waterfall and Gyles substations were among those affected on the high-voltage network,” the city said in a statement. But it said the electricity was back on yesterday afternoon.
The networks were operating at risk and could be without power for extended periods “if these circuits experience further faults”.
Portions of the supply to Metrorail and Transnet were affected and city staff were on site doing repairs.
The situation was exacerbated by road closures on the M4 and N2 as faults crews could not get to Lotus Park and Durban South substations.
More than 500 faults were reported, many of them affecting large areas.
Areas affected included Lindelani, uMhlanga, Waterloo, Newlands East, Osindisweni, Mt Moreland, Oakford, Prospecton, Athlone Park, Glenwood, Westville South, Kwanyuswa, Dassenhoek, Mariannhill, Mobeni, Zwelibomvu, Intake/Demat, Jacobs, Wentworth, Hillary and Havenside.
Customers were urged to report their faults via the SMS line 083 700 0819, email address custocare@elec.durban.gov.za or via the website www.durban.gov.za.
They can also report problems on the toll-free number 080 1313 111.
The health department said at least five hospitals had been affected.
King Edward, Addington, King Dinuzulu and Wentworth and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial hospitals had borne the brunt of the storm.
“Management at these health facilities are assessing the extent of the damage and doing all they can to ensure patient care and safety.
Ailments
“The department urges the public to be calm and understanding. Furthermore, it urges people who do not have serious ailments to delay their visits to the affected hospitals,” spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi said in a statement.
Toyota said the storm had damaged its manufacturing plant in Prospecton. Andrew Kirby, president and chief executive of Toyota SA, confirmed there was significant damage to the facility, including buildings, equipment and vehicles on the production line.
“Our first priority was to ensure the safety of our employees, and I’m pleased to report that there were no injuries resulting from this morning’s downpour.”
Production was halted for the day and for today to enable a detailed assessment of the damage.
The National Sea Rescue Institute was in action in Montclair, where a baby was rescued from an entrapment in a home, and its members assisted in incidents where residents and motorists needed to be helped to higher ground and away from flooded areas.
A parent at Ogwini High School in uMlazi said children were sent home early yesterday.
He said two trees collapsed, one on a teacher’s car and one on a taxi that had come to fetch children.
“The roof is leaking in the office, and the staffroom is getting wet,” he said. “Water is sweeping into the classrooms.”
There were no injuries reported but the parent said the damage was extensive.