In Inanda, north of Durban, a suspected tornado swept through the area, causing damage to several homes.
Security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said a herdsman in Zwelisha, northwest of Durban, has been presumed dead after being swept away by floods.
According to RUSA spokesperson Vinod Singh, the man was witnessed herding cows during heavy rains on Tuesday afternoon. He attempted to cross the river but got swept away. The cow escaped, but the herdsman probably didn’t.
KZN VIP Paramedics reported that, so far, two people have been hospitalised for minor injuries.
Efforts are underway to evacuate residents from their homes, as many of them have suffered significant damage. Given the size of Inanda, the exact number of affected homes remains uncertain, according to Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP Paramedics.
The tornado, which occurred earlier this afternoon, impacted areas in Inanda and Idube, as stated by KZN EMS spokesperson Robert McKenzie. He noted that a container overturned during the incident, resulting in extensive damage to roofs and power cables in the vicinity.
Unverified footage circulating on social media shows what appears to be a rotating funnel cloud, stirring up debris, while another unverified video captures the aftermath, revealing widespread destruction to residential properties.
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is cautioning communities, particularly those residing on the South Coast, about heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding. These heavy rains are expected to persist from Tuesday until Wednesday morning. While the eThekwini Metro and coastal areas will experience widespread showers and thundershowers, the intensity is predicted to be moderate, with scattered rainfall.
Since Monday, Margate and Port Edward have already reported rainfall measurements of 89mm and 49mm respectively. However, weather models indicate that additional rainfall is expected in the Ugu District Municipality, gradually subsiding by early tomorrow, according to Cogta spokesperson Sboniso Mngadi.
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