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- Disaster management teams have begun clean-up operations in the storm-hit areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
- HAil checked into Pietermaritzburg and bad weather was expected to hit the province.
- A woman is missing after being washed away by a river and a 10-year-old boy is in the hospital after the boy was struck by lightning.
Disaster management teams across KwaZulu-Natal have mobilized after heavy storms hit Pietermaritzburg Midlands on Wednesday.
Images of hail the size of tennis balls were distributed via social media.
SEE | Widespread damage when Pietermaritzburg is hit by hail the size of tennis balls
Traditional Affairs and Cooperative Governance spokesman Senzo Mzila said on Thursday that “heavy storms hit the province last night and left large-scale destruction in their wake.”
He said disaster management teams were responding to various reports.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the department issued a warning referring to reports from the South African Meteorological Service that inclement weather could affect much of the province. The weather forecast indicated the possibility of hail, severe storms , strong winds and heavy rains.
“The department can now confirm that late in the afternoon yesterday, a hail storm struck parts of Msunduzi and the Midlands, where several houses were damaged. The storm also caused blackouts in several suburbs and technicians from the municipality are now working on the land”. to restore the network. “
READ ALSO | Eastern Cape Storm: Severe weather wreaks havoc at Mthatha Airport, damaging schools and homes
Mzila said that in the Umlazi F section in Durban, a woman was missing and is believed to have been washed away when she crossed a local river.
“Apparently, she was part of a group of three people who were crossing the Umlazi River when they lost their balance and were overcome by the jet of water. Two of them were able to reach safety while the woman is still missing.
He said that in uMuziwabantu Township in the Bhudlu area, a 10-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being struck by lightning.
“In another incident, high winds and heavy rain damaged several homes in the area. Disaster management teams are still assessing the extent of the damage and an update will be sent to the media soon.”
READ | Widespread damage such as Pietermaritzburg, Midlands hit by hailstones the size of tennis balls
He said Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka appealed to residents to remain vigilant as inclement weather continues to pose a risk to communities in the province.
He said the latest warning from the South African Weather Service indicated that severe thunderstorms were expected to hit Abaqulusi, Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, eNdumeni, Newcastle, Nongoma, Nquthu, uLundi and uPhongolo on Thursday afternoon, into the evening.
“This inclement weather is expected to cause localized flooding, hail and lightning strikes. Residents in potentially affected areas are urged to exercise caution.”
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