Reunion (L 14)

Name: Reunion



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Durban was mopping up yesterday after heavy thunder storms caused mayhem in the city. Emergency services had to rescue at least 20 trapped motorists, roads were closed, houses flooded and even a major hospital was hit by lightning. One of the surgical wards at St Augustine’s Hospital was struck, and patients had to be moved to another ward. Netcare general manager Augusta Dorning said: “While no great damage was done, the nurses’ calling system started to malfunction, a few minor leaks appeared and some electrical wiring got scorched.” The provincial Health Department spokesperson, Leon Mbangwa, said the out-patients department, pharmacy and the surgical stores at Umlazi’s Prince Mshiyeni Hospital were flooded. The police search-and-rescue unit was scrambled to save 20 people trapped in cars and homes by rising water during the electrical storm. “We used a police boat to move many people away from the Island Hotel in Isipingo and we assisted several others who were stuck in cars due to rising flood water,” said the unit’s commander, Captain Troy Alison. Several Durban roads were closed yesterday after torrential rains caused mudslides and deep pools.

The downpour affected, among others, the suburbs of Merebank, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Pinetown, Isipingo, Yellowwood Park, Amanzimtoti, Prospecton and Durban North. Metrorail also had problems. Spokesperson Thandi Mkhize said several lines in Reunion, Crossmoor, Merebank, the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, Isipingo and Kelso were affected when the communication system went out. Rail services in Isipingo, Crossmoor and Kelso had been suspended until repairs could be done. Buses would be operational in those areas for the next few days. eThekwini Emergency Services head Henry Manzi said four houses in Umlazi collapsed while several shacks were completely washed away. “Those homes and shacks situated near the river banks were worst affected but there were no serious injuries,” he said. Manzi and eThekwini Disaster Management were visiting affected areas to assess flash-flood damages. Metro police Inspector Deveneran Pillay, who lives in Merebank, said the area near the racecourse was completely submerged. “People were helping each other, breaking walls to get people out of houses. The water levels were up to 1.8m. Cars were floating and completely submerged,” he said.

http://www.demsconsulting.com/code/forum/showthread.php?t=1288
2008-03-13 04:37:36


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