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The body of a woman who was swept away while crossing a river in Umlazi found

21 November 2020, 8:37 AM |

SABC | @SABCNews

[File photo] The intensity of this rain is anticipated to be greater than the one experienced in April.

Image: Twitter: @SAPOLICESERVICE

[File photo] The intensity of this rain is anticipated to be greater than the one experienced in April.

The body of a missing woman who was swept away while crossing a swollen river at Umlazi F section south of Durban, has been found. The 22-year-old woman was swept away on Wednesday as parts of the province experienced thunderstorms.

At least three people have died in the storms.

Provincial Cooperative Governance spokesperson Senzelwa Mzila says two other people have succumbed to injuries after being struck by lightning.

“The recovery of the body means that the province has now lost three lives as a result of the inclement weather conditions that struck KZN this week. In the other two incidents, two persons were killed by lightning in uMlalazi and Ulundi municipalities on Wednesday when severe thunderstorms hit large parts of the province. In the incidents, Sinothile Biyela (27) from Dlomodlomo area in Ward 10 of Mlalazi and Ntombi Zakwa (60) in Ulundi, Ward 14 in KwaNyoni area, lost their lives having succumbed to their injuries when they were struck by lightning on Wednesday.”

Media Article (Part 1): MULTICELL CLUSTER STORM CAUSES HAVOC IN MTHATHA ON 17 NOVEMBER 2020 pic.twitter.com/jd8UJPw7HT

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 20, 2020

KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, warned that the thunderstorms forecast to hit the province is expected to be worse than the Easter floods which resulted in the death of dozens of people.

Speaking during a media briefing in Durban last week, Hlomuka urged people to be vigilant in flood-prone areas.

He said the storm is likely to be coupled with gale-force winds, mudslides, hailstorms and localised flooding.

“The intensity of this rain is anticipated to be greater than the one experienced in April. Schools and businesses are urged to release learners and workers early.”

“The weather service has indicated that Thursday and Friday will have heavy rain. We are also asking business leaders to release workers early and allow people to work from home rather than to report to the workplace. This is in the interest of the public’s safety,” adds Hlomuka.

Full briefing below