Disaster management teams and volunteers this morning resumed the search for a woman who was washed away when she fell into a storm water drain in the France area of Sibongile in KZN last night.

Northern Natal News reports that Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni disaster management head, says that the 34-year-old woman apparently slipped and fell into the stormwater drain during the fierce wind and hailstorm that struck Endumeni.

Ntombela says it was reported that the woman had become stuck in mud brought down by the raging floodwater.

A Glencoe resident told the Northern Natal Courier he had recorded 85mm of rain in less than an hour.

Several homes reported flooding and numerous trees fell during the storm.

Ntombela says search teams worked until after midnight and are searching again.

According to The Witness, disaster teams have been dispatched to Sibongile.

While search and rescue teams are on the ground, disaster officials are assisting affected households with clean-up efforts.

In uMlalazi, severe storms damaged homes in wards 16, 21 and 14, and in a separate incident in ward 8, an elderly person was struck by lightning and rushed to hospital.

KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi deployed the teams following reports of heavy rainfall and storm damage across parts of the province.

Buthelezi urged residents to remain alert as above-average rainfall is expected throughout spring and summer.

“Our disaster management teams are on high alert and will continue to respond swiftly to emergencies. We appeal to residents to exercise caution and report any incidents to local authorities,” he said.

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