WATCH | Chaos as heavy storm strikes KwaZulu-Natal
Occupants of a minibus taxi that was stricken by rising water on the freeway were rescued by paramedics on Tuesday morning.
Rescuecare spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said that medics had rushed to the scene to find the fully laden minibus listing to one side.
“The taxi had been driving through the rising waters when it got stuck. Paramedics helped the occupants of the taxi to safety. The road has been completely closed‚” he said.
Paramedics also responded to a call in Kingsway Road‚ where gushing water had entrapped occupants of a house. The occupants were safely rescued.
Paramedics from @rescuecare and police search a house in Kingsway after reports of people stuck inside @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/yjE2p2hMsh
— Jeff Wicks (@wicks_jeff) October 10, 2017
This follows a night of heavy rain with rivers in Pietermaritzburg and Durban breaking their banks.
Police search and rescue technicians were called to the Madiba low-level bridge in Sobantu outside Pietermaritzburg after a man was swept away by the water.
The officers‚ with the aid of a sniffer dog‚ searched the banks of the river but were unable to find the man. The search was halted by an approaching storm and diminishing light and is expected to resume when it is safe.
City engineers from the eThekwini Municipality are also assessing damage at various locations.
Police search and rescue emergency workers are en route to the Prince Mshyeni hospital in Umlazi after a call that part of roof has collapsed.
The South African Weather Service issued a warning of gale force winds between 70 and 90km per hour between Durban and Mozambique in the next 24 hours.
Warnings have been issued of severe thunderstorms‚ with a risk of hail.
A weather spokesman said: "Between 10am and 11pm on Tuesday more than 50mm of rain is expected which may lead to localised flooding over the southern interior and the coast. Always expect lightning when thunder roars. Stay indoors."
Meanwhile the eThekwini municipality warned residents to stay indoors until the storm passes.
The municipality said the disaster management call centre was experiencing high call volumes.
Residents are requested only to call the centre for emergencies on 031-361-0000.
More pictures and videos of the storm below:
Carlea Van der Linde - N2 Toti, Just past Galleria Mall. Location can be heard on the video
Posted by Storm Report SA on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
N2 near Galleria Toti under water! Video source unknown
Posted by Storm Report SA on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Isipingo South of Durban currently dangerous conditions.
Posted by Storm Report SA on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
#DurbanStorm RT @MusaMngadi @TrafficSA the aftermath of the Durban Hailstorm pic.twitter.com/aF767ZeGlF
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) October 10, 2017
Durban area at this moment.
Posted by Storm Report SA on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Maydon Road, Congella... #durbanstorm #storm #DurbanWeather #Weather pic.twitter.com/DtgprFaoCI
— Richard Hipkin (@rhipkin) October 10, 2017
Durban storm pic.twitter.com/Dq4LTopuWW
— NJAbzin (@Jst_Njabz) October 10, 2017
My front yard fence gone ask well 😢💔 #DurbanStorm pic.twitter.com/Ot0c7Wor0i
— #PrayForDurban (@datkidROBO) October 10, 2017
Antoinette Hannop - Durban
Posted by Storm Report SA on Tuesday, 10 October 2017