More weather warnings for KZN after deadly lightning strike

KwaZulu-Natal is bracing for another round of severe weather, with the South African Weather Service (Saws) issuing a yellow level 4 warning for Monday, just days after destructive storms claimed a life and left families homeless across parts of the province. The weather office warned that the southern regions of KZN could be hit by severe thunderstorms bringing heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning. The conditions may result in flooding of roads, low-lying bridges and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure.

A second yellow level 2 warning has been issued for Tuesday, with similar but more localised storm activity expected. The latest warnings follow a weekend of violent weather that triggered disaster response efforts in the Harry Gwala and uMgungundlovu districts. In the Harry Gwala District, a man from Ward 15 in Mzimkhulu was struck and killed by lightning while at work on Friday.

In Ward 12, three other people were injured in separate lightning incidents and are receiving medical treatment. Storm damage also left several families without homes. In Impendle Local Municipality under uMgungundlovu District, seven houses were destroyed in Ward 5, leaving four families displaced. At least 12 households were affected, including 18 children and two elderly residents.