Storm 'one of the worst ever'

2009-01-04 23:07

Durban - The death toll of a "monstrous" overnight storm that devastated various parts of KwaZulu-Natal has risen to eight, Premier Sbu Ndebele said.

"It's a very sad New Year for those affected and it's devastating to see the little food these people had being covered by mud," he told Sapa in an interview on Sunday night, after visiting some of the affected areas.

"Many people have lost everything."

The freak storm was described by residents and officials as one of the worst they have seen.

Trees were uprooted, roofs caved in, walls and houses collapsed, and in some areas water mains had burst.

Several storms in recent months

In recent months several similar storms had struck different parts of the province and destroyed homes, leaving thousands homeless.

The province's Social Development MEC Meshack Hadebe said among the victims were a family of four killed in Ndwendwe.

Another person was killed in KwaKhulusi, a sixth person killed in Dalton, and another life was claimed in Vryheid.

In Pietermaritzburg, a man who had apparently been walking home in the storm on Saturday night had accidentally fallen into a manhole and died.

Officials were unable to provide a figure on how many were injured.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said the family from Ndwendwe were inside their home when lightning struck.

"All four were struck by the lightning and died. Another person was also struck by lightning inside a house in KwaKhulusi."

2 000 people affected

Ndebele said the worst-affected areas were Ndwendwe, Dalton and Pietermaritzburg.

"It's estimated that more than 300 households were affected which in essence means over 2 000 people."

He said dozens of tents had been set up to accommodate the now homeless families.

"Blankets and food has also been distributed to them. We appeal to businesses and people to donate blankets, clothing, foodstuffs or whatever extra they give."

Medical facilities in Pietermaritzburg were also put on high alert.

Ndebele vowed that government would now plan ahead for the possibility of more storms.

"This is not the first, and it might happen again. It's the climate change. Now we are planning ahead and we will work towards building human settlements that have more stable structures."

Ndebele and Hadebe earlier "split up" and visited some of the affected areas including Camperdown, Ndwendwe. Copesville and Imbali.

Both said it was difficult to determine the cost of the damage at this stage.

"...We will compile a report (on the damages) and then (the premier will) decide whether to declare any of them disaster areas," said Hadebe.

Disaster management teams sent out

The Witness newspaper in Pietermaritzburg was also affected by the storm.

News editor Stephanie Saville said their printing plant in Willowton had most of its roof torn off.

Managing director Piet le Roux said they were grateful that none of their staff were injured during the storm.

"The press will be out of commission for some time, but we're just grateful that no one was injured."

He said plans were being made for the Witness, Ilanga, Daily Sun, as well as numerous weekly titles, to be printed with the assistance of Media 24 in Johannesburg, Africa Web Press and Independent Newspapers in Durban.

Disaster management teams were sent to the affected areas to help residents and launch mopping-up operations.

Spokesperson for the local government department Lennox Mabaso said once verification had taken place, they would release the exact number of people killed and injured in the storm.

- SAPA