27.12.2025
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Storm wreaks havoc in KZN midlands

7 mins



  • Lightning strikes during a thunderstorm.

A severe thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds and hail has left a trail of destruction in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands with at least three municipalities hardest hit. Over 150 households have been affected and about 50 houses completely damaged.

The worst affected local municipalities include, eMadlangeni, Dannhauser and Newcastle.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) fears the number of people affected by the inclement weather is likely to increase.

“From Friday’s storm we had five people who were injured and they were taken to hospital and they are receiving treatment. In terms of preliminary assessments, over 100 households have been affected. We do expect this number to increase once our team give us their final report. These teams are underground right now. We really do feel for the families that have been affected by the inclement weather condition conditions,” says Department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.

Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, Thembelihle Mthembu, who visited the affected communities says they are still trying to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the inclement weather.

“Our disaster team at Amajuba is doing an assessment to ascertain the extent of damage. What we know for now is that homes have been destroyed, trees are uprooted as well as electricity poles. We are calling on people to take precaution as there is another alert issued for a severe storm,” says Mthembu.

Health facilities were not spared from the damage as day-to-day services at the Madadeni EMS base and the Utretch Niemeyer Memorial Hospital were disrupted.

Spokesperson for the provincial Health Department, Nathi Olifant says they are working around the clock to restore services whilst ensuring the safety of both patients and staff.

“Our infrastructure and facilities management teams will conduct a full assessment of the extent of the damage. But giving the magnitude of the damage we anticipate some disturbance in health services in the affected institutions. These are of concern and the department after a Tara assessment within the student plans we will ensure that medical services continue to operate with minimal disruptions,” says Olifant.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the province emergency services had their hands full attending to road incidents as the inclement weather persisted causing slippery conditions on roads.

“Paramedics would like to urge commuters to please take caution of the way that is currently being experienced since last night. The roads are extremely wet. They are also very slippery. The rain has lifted a lot of oil debris that has been left on roads,” says ALS Paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson.

Jamieson says motorists are urged to please leave a little bit early to destinations so they can reach in time without having to speed.

“Please do take care of your vehicle. Make sure that your wiper is in a good condition as well as your tyres. Please make sure that your headlights  are on so you are also visible. We would like you to arrive alive,” he adds.

Authorities are calling on communities built on flood plains to heed the weather warnings by seeking shelter on higher ground or in community halls.

VIDEO | Severe thunderstorm leaves a trail of damage in KZN midlands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZzLCSBXoOg

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