Severe storm renders people homeless in Uthukela and Umzinyathi districts
The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has dispatched its disaster management teams to respond and assess the extent of damage at Ezakheni township in Uthukela district and Tugela Ferry in Umzinyathi district where a severe storm destroyed houses and claimed the life of an elderly woman yesterday.
Yesterday, a raging storm swept across Ezakheni township and Tugela Ferry, ripping roofs off numerous houses and leaving their inhabitants homeless. Relief aid in the form of tents and food parcels are being provided by Cogta teams which are on site and monitoring the situation closely.
Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has sent her condolences to the family of an elderly woman who passed away when the roof collapsed on her. The UMzinyathi District particularly the area of Msinga appear to be the most affected according to the preliminary information.
“As much as we appreciate the rains that have fallen on large parts of KZN in recent days, we are on alert as some storms have been severe causing flash flooding and damage to property. Residents are advised to be vigilant,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
“In recent months, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal has faced two contradictory but equally serious crises: on the one hand we have been fighting the most severe drought in two decades while on the other we have attended to numerous storms and flash flooding,” said Dube-Ncube.
Yesterday’s storm started early in the evening and lasted for about 30 minutes. There are no reported deaths but over 40 people in the area of Tugela Ferry are being treated in nearby hospitals and clinics for injuries. All injuries were sustained as a result of flying debris and falling roofs.
“We would like to assure the residents that the situation is under control and that our disaster management teams are on site, distributing disaster relief and on alert for further storms. Affected residents are advised to contact their local municipality of Cogta Tall-Free number – 0800 000 953/4,” said Dube-Ncube.
