LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Four persons have been reportedly killed, one missing and other homeless after heavy downpour and a tornado hit South province in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, areas severely affected by the heavy rains and strong winds are: Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Pinetown and surrounding areas, Folweni, and the north of Durban.
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Departmental Spokesperson, Nonala Ndlovu said preliminary reports indicated extensive damage to road infrastructure, electricity, sewerage systems, and housing.
āApproximately 70 houses in eThekwini were completely destroyed and a further 110 damaged. This had affected 552 people and had left 151 individuals homeless, said Ndlovu.
“In the Ugu District Municipality, one house was completely destroyed and three partially damaged, affecting 29 people. One person was left homeless.
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“In response to the destruction, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, has provided immediate relief materials to the affected victims,” she said.
“This includes over 300 food parcels, 2 750 blankets, 5 500 plastic sheetings, and 550 emergency boxes as part of the winter contingency planning across all districts and the metro.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre maintains additional immediate relief materials to offer further support, āNdlovu disclosed.
She added that Eskom and the municipal electricity departments are scrambling to restore power to affected areas.