Johannesburg

Tuesday

Widely scattered tstorms. More sun than clouds. Warm.

12°C
29°C

7 day forecasts

KZN braces for 'ferocious storms'

2009-01-06 14:01

Pietermaritzburg - More "ferocious storms" may "pound" KwaZulu-Natal by as early as Friday, Premier Sbu Ndebele said on Tuesday.

"People need to now gear themselves up... store extra canned food so when it happens, you are not left high and dry," he told journalists in Pietermaritzburg.

He sat side-by-side with members of the provincial executive committee including Finance MEC Dr Zweli Mkhize, Social Development MEC Meshack Radebe, MEC for Education Ina Cronje and MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mtolephi Mthimkhulu.

"This morning (Tuesday) we were informed that KwaZulu-Natal must be on a state of alert... We will have more freak storms... and this is our challenge," said Mthimkhulu.

He said the weather bureau was working on a massive awareness campaign.

Killer storm over weekend

The media briefing was called after a killer storm ravaged various parts of the province at the weekend, with the executive committee on Tuesday confirming that 15 people had died.

Local government spokesperson Lennox Mabaso however said on Monday night that the death toll stood at 18.

Ndebele said reports of deaths were still being verified but that 15 had so far been confirmed.

"We have just learnt, about three hours ago, that an ANC councillor in the uMtshezi municipality has become the latest victim after his car was washed away by torrential rains," said Ndebele.

A total of 12 736 people were affected by the freak storm and the estimated cost of damage was R108m.

- SAPA

inside news24

Latest comment in South Africa

Concerned Citizen says... She was perfectly happy until someone told her she could make money out of the magazine. I guess if we were in America she would probably have got $1 million Read the article...

Cpt: 14-18°C Light rain. More clouds than sun. Mild. Pta: 15-31°C A few showers. More sun than clouds. Warm.
Jhb: 12-29°C Widely scattered tstorms. More sun than clouds. Warm. Bloem: 11-27°C High level clouds. Pleasantly warm.
Dbn: 18-25°C Light rain. More clouds than sun. Mild. PE: 14-23°C Morning clouds. Mild.
7 day forecasts...
Western Cape Eastern Cape Kwazulu Natal Gauteng

Kempton Park - 11:25:17 AM Right hand lane closed for roadworks between Atlas Road and the Voortrekker Road exit until 3pm More traffic reports...

Here are the winning Lotto numbers from the Saturday, November 7 draw.

18, 24, 25, 31, 35, 42 Bonus 38

Lotto plus: 4, 14, 17, 20, 21, 34 Bonus 3

SMS the word Lotto to 31222 to get lotto numbers sent directly to your phone. The service costs just R10 per month. 
More lotto numbers...