Four Killed in Storms Moving Through South Africa

Four people lost their lives in Mfekayi, near uMtubatuba in Mkhanyakude, after their houses were destroyed by the thunderstorms that swept through parts of KwaZulu-Natal on October 22, Sunday morning. The KwaZulu-Natal government told victims that it is too broke to help them rebuild their lives.

Torrential rains in the Eastern Cape have resulted in the deaths of three teenagers with another person missing. Amathole District Municipality disaster teams were deployed to assist communities.

Meanwhile, downpours in Durban prompted the closure of beaches in the city after damage sustained to shark nets. "All water activities are prohibited. However, residents and visitors can still enjoy other activities along the beach that do not require coming into contact with sea water," the eThekwini Municipality statement said.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued a level six warning for heavy rains across KwaZulu-Natal. SAWS further cautioned the public that the severe weather could lead to the flooding of roads, bridges and settlements.

In April 2023, floods wreaked havoc across most parts of KwaZulu-Natal, claiming the lives of at least 435 people. The floods were devastating for thousands as many homes and surrounding infrastructure were completely destroyed.