KZN readies as more storms set to wreak havoc in the province

Disaster management teams were dispatched to several areas in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday to assess the damage caused by heavy storms that wreaked havoc on Sunday night, leaving many families homeless.

The KZN department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) said in a statement on Monday that teams had been dispatched to Nkelebantwana in Bulwer in the KZN Midlands where strong winds had destroyed houses and left many families without shelter.

The department said some people were injured and treated at nearby health facilities. Electricity was also cut off to the area.

Other areas buffeted by the heavy storms where houses were damaged and people injured were Vryheid, Nongoma, Phongola, Jozini and Mhlabuyalingana in northern KZN. Several electricity poles were toppled by the heavy winds accompanying the storm.

"Our disaster teams are currently working in these areas and assisting the families that were affected by the latest storms. All reported incidents are being attended to as per our protocols and the public can rest assured that assistance will be provided," said KZN Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

Dube-Ncube said an operations centre had been set up at the provincial disaster management centre to co-ordinate responses on the ground.

"All our municipalities have been requested to provide additional capacity. Unfortunately the weather bureau is still warning us of more severe thunderstorms for the rest of the week. We ask all our citizens to remain on full alert and to avoid danger," she said.

Dube-Ncube urged residents to keep clear of low-lying areas prone to flooding as there was still a risk of heavy rains and flash flooding.

"This warning is especially addressed to school-going children and their parents and guardians as many past incidents of flash flooding involved school children on their to and from school," she said.