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Lighting strike.
Disaster officials in KwaZulu-Natal say lightning deaths in rural communities are becoming a serious concern. Three people were killed by lightning in the Harry Gwala District this month during severe storms.
A disaster management workshop for traditional leaders has been held in Pinetown, west of Durban.
Disaster Management Spokesperson Bheki Phungula says the province loses an average of 10 people to lightning every year.
He says changing weather patterns and the abandonment of traditional safety practices may be contributing to the rising fatalities.
“Lightning has claimed so many lives especially in rural areas. People are not alert. There were things that were done in the olden days to prevent loss of life by lightning through ancient practices. It is alarming when you look at the numbers. And fatalities per year, there are more than 10 people being killed by lightning. Some (were) struck them on their way to or from home and some are hit at their homes,” he says.
Meanwhile, Phungula is urging local government to rethink how towns are planned as extreme weather becomes more frequent.
He says municipalities will need to upgrade roads, drainage systems and other infrastructure to reduce the risk of future disasters.
“We need to change perspective. Our town planning scheme must change completely. When we are initiating development, let us consider what is happening out there. The upgrading of our infrastructure … we need to look into that and we need to have programs. If we see Umlazi canal, it’s no longer coping, infrastructure was not designed for this population that we have today. We are in this era. We need then to improve infrastructure. Scientifically, we have proven correct. Climate change is here with us,” says he.
Earlier this month, one person has died and three others were injured after being struck by lightning during severe thunderstorms in Umzimkhulu.
Details in the report below:
WATCH | One person has died and three others were injured after being struck by lightning during severe thunderstorms in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/KVpzx46jqe
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 9, 2026
-Report by Celumusa Zulu
