I couldn’t save my daughter, says KZN mom who cheated death
It was like a scene from the movies. A violent column of air swirling furiously, devouring everything in its path and spitting it out wherever it pleases. For Thunyeliwe Ndlovu, 63, however, the tornado that struck her rural KZN settlement was all too real. Provincial medics were already on the scene, having assisted with nine patients. Two adults were unfortunately declared dead on the scene. ER24 set up a triage area and treated and transported a further nine patients with minor to moderate injuries to various hospitals in the area.
“Provincial also transported a further two, bringing the total injured on scene to 20. An adult woman, who had suffered serious injuries as a result of losing control of her vehicle during the storm, was treated with advanced life support interventions, before being taken to Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg for further care. Campbell said many animals were reported to have been injured or killed in the area and power lines were also down.
The rescue effort, which included fire and police, was called off about midnight and resumed on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, KZN premier Sihle Zikalala and provincial co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka are expected to visit the families in the affected area on Wednesday morning.
Hlomuka dispatched disaster management teams after the tragic scenes, in which several households were swept away by the tornado in Mpolweni and Thokozani, in the uMshwathi local municipality. Hlomuka will be leading efforts to provide interim relief to victims, many of whom now have now to pick up the pieces after the devastating impact of the tornado. Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila confirmed the two deaths.
In other news – KZN govt expects tornado damage to run into the millions
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government says it expects damage to homes and infrastructure to run into the millions following Tuesday’s tornado which ripped through New Hanover, Pietermaritzburg.
The province is still bracing itself for more inclement weather – which will bring with it severe thunderstorms over the next few days – as some families continue to pick up the pieces. Read more
Source: Timeslive
