IN PICS | Flooding, flying debris and heartache in Inanda after heavy rains and tornado

Heavy rains pummeled Phoenix, Inanda and parts of KwaMashu in Durban on Tuesday, leaving several people injured and homes and buildings damaged.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued a level 2 warning for disruptive rain and thundershowers which pummeled the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal and eThekwini, leading to flooding.

Firefighters hard at work after the heavy downpour at Inanda, Durban. (SANDILE NDLOVU)

According to the warning, there are indications of up to 50mm of rain in the Ugu and eThekwini district municipalities.

In Inanda, residents were left horrified when a tornado swept through the area, tearing off corrugated roofs, wooden gates and fences.

The flying debris swirled in the air, causing damage and panic among residents who tried to get out of harm's way.

When TimesLIVE visited the area on Tuesday, some residents said they were devastated and heartbroken by the damage.

Pieces of a corrugated iron roof hang on the electricity street pole in Inanda, north of Durban, after heavy downpours. (SANDILE NDLOVU)

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said it had asked the MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs Bongi Sithole-Moloi, MEC for human settlements and public works, Cde Sipho Nkosi as well as eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda to respond with a "high sense of urgency and assist the affected families".

"The ravaging tornado brings home the fact that extreme weather patterns continue to have devastating effects on KwaZulu-Natal and Durban in particular."

A man covers himself with a plastic sheet during heavy rain in Inanda, north of Durban. (SANDILE NDLOVU)

The ANC said the disaster came hours after the Alliance Political Council pledged to mobilise all structures to assist communities during times of distress.

A woman covers herself with a plastic sheet during heavy rain in Inanda, north of Durban, in the aftermath of a tornado. (SANDILE NDLOVU)

The provincial department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs said it was working on gathering information together with eThekwini municipality and human settlement department.

TimesLIVE

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