‘Scores of people’ injured as very large tornado hits KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

A very large tornado hit New Hanover and Greytown, north of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa on November 12, 2019, destroying homes, downing trees and power poles, and leaving 'scores of people' injured. The tornado was just one part of severe weather affecting KZN today in which at least 3 people lost their lives.

Preliminary reports received by the KZN Department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) indicate that a number of people who sustained injuries in the incident are receiving medical attention from surrounding hospitals.

"A number of homes have collapsed, countless trees have been uprooted and the electricity supply in the area has been interrupted. Our teams are working hard to provide support to the affected communities," said Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka.

The South African Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado hit the Mpolweni area near New Hanover in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Weather forecaster, Wiseman Dlamini, says they tracked a severe thunderstorm on radar and satellite images. Winds measured between 46 to 111 km/h (30 – 90 mph).

Three people have died in the province after severe thunderstorms and flooding this afternoon," SABC News reports.

"A couple died when their shack collapsed on them in Inanda, north of Durban while 24-year-old woman was struck by lightning in the Ukhahlamba area of the province's midlands."

Featured image: Tornado hits KZN, South Africa on November 12, 2019.