More storms expected to hit KZN this week
KZN residents have been warned to brace themselves for more wet weather conditions as more thunderstorms are expected for the rest of the week.
The South African Weather Service says disruptive downpours can be expected in parts of KwaZulu-Natal from Tuesday.
Forecaster Ayanda Nsele says their seasonal forecast did indicate above-normal rainfall for December, January, February, and March.
"We have 60% thundershowers with an alert of level 2 on the northern section of KZN tomorrow afternoon. The weather does seem like it will get worse from Wednesday. We are expecting heavy rains in most parts of the province."
"We have an 80% chance of heavy rain the whole day, with possible disruptive rain in places over the province, and it will be raining till Thursday."
Umgeni Water says heavy rains over the weekend have caused damage to the Mthwalume Raw Water Abstraction System.
Spokesperson Siyabonga Maphumulo says the station supplies water to the uMzumbe and uMdoni Local Municipalities under the Ugu District.
"The temporary wheel that draws from the Mthwalume river was washed away, and the treatment plant is no longer able to draw water for treatment. This is due to the raw water submersible pumps. "
“Extensive work is required to restore the system into full operation, and Umngeni-uThukela has already deployed to spead up the recovery process. We anticipate that the system will recover fully by Thursday."
The damage to the Mthwalume System has affected the supply of water to the following areas in the uMzumbe and uMdoni Local Municipalities: Elysum, Bazley, Ifafa, Koelwater, Sezela, Mthwalume Urban, Qoloqolo, Nomakhazana, Sibanini, Bhekulwandle, Mfazazana, Sihlonyaneni, 26, Arnold Lushaba Hospital, Nkambini, Bhunwini, Makhoso, Bangibizo, Dembese, Mathulini, Nyangwini and Mgangeni.
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Eskom KZN's Joyce Zingoni says technicians have intensified their efforts to restore electricity to several towns that also suffered extensive damage during this weekend's rains.
"Eskom suffered loss of supply in most areas in KZN last night due to the storm in the province. Our teams are at work, and power should be restored as soon as possible."
The most affected areas are Pietermaritzburg, Margate, Kokstad, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Stanger, Zululand and Empangeni.
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