Woman, grandson killed in Durban structural collapse

It's understood that their home collapsed during Saturday evening’s storm.

The thunderstorm affected most parts of eThekwini and the north coast.

Reports coming in indicate that the heavy rains battered the city and surrounding areas, flooding a number of roads and damaging properties.

Officials say they began receiving calls for help from people stuck in their homes.

Reaction Unit South Africa's Prem Balram says while assessing the damage, they found the structure next to a river. 

"Paramedics declared them deceased.  Hundreds of people were also displaced and transported to RUSA headquarters, where they were later relocated."

“Reaction Unit South Africa responded to about 170 calls from the members of the public relating to these storms on the north coast.” 

eThekwini officials are out assessing the damage caused by last night's storm warning residents that some flooded roads are still inaccessible.

At this stage, we know that the thunderstorm and torrential downpours affected most parts of eThekwini and the north coast.

Reports coming in indicate that the heavy rains battered the city and surrounding areas  leaving a number of roads underwater and damaging properties.

ALSO READ: Heavy rains, thunderstorms batter eThekwini

Several families, mostly in Verulam, Phoenix and Tongaat  had to be rescued from their homes, 

The severe weather also caused a mass power outage.

Nicole Bollman is the ward councillor  for the greater Umhlanga area.

She says the M4 freeway has been affected as well as Forest and Herald Drive.

Bollman says sinkholes have formed in Marine, Chartwell and Newlands Drive.

"Within ward  35 specifically, we had a number of homes that had to be evacuated, large amounts of sink holes and collapsed wall. So, there's heck of a lot of debry and obstacles on the road, it is quite bad this time."