By Anita Dangazele
- More than 30 homes were destroyed in Ethembeni alone, with temporary structures from a previous storm also blown down.
- Power and water supplies were knocked out in several areas as heavy rain and strong winds battered communities from Qonce to Dimbaza.
Whole families have been left with nothing after a powerful storm swept through the Amathole district and Buffalo City Metro on Tuesday.
Strong winds and heavy rain tore the roofs off homes, uprooted trees and brought down power lines. Hail and flooding added to the damage across villages and towns from Qonce to Dimbaza.
The storm battered parts of the Amahlathi, Raymond Mhlaba and Ngqushwa municipalities. In Buffalo City Metro, six wards — 31, 34, 35, 36, 39 and 45 — were hit the hardest.
Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Bongani Fuzile said the storm damaged homes, schools, churches and community halls.
“The damage ranges from roof losses, flooding, fallen trees and disruption in basic services,” he said.
Power and water supplies were cut in Mount Coke, Mlakalaka, Ndileka, Qongqotha and other areas. Teams from Eskom and local water departments are working to restore services.
Fuzile said many elderly people were especially vulnerable after their homes were destroyed.
Amathole municipal spokesperson Sisa Msiwa said homes were damaged in Ethembeni, Gubevu, Kei Road and Border Post. Eight villages in the Raymond Mhlaba area were affected. Schools including Debe, Marhela and Dikidikana were damaged.
Amathole municipal spokesperson Sisa Msiwa said preliminary assessments confirmed damage to homes in Ethembeni, Gubevu, Kei Road, Border Post and surrounding villages.
“At this stage, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
“The exact number of affected households is still being verified as assessment teams continue their work,” Msiwa said.
Disaster management teams were on site, though connectivity challenges and poor road access were slowing assessments.
Msiwa said eight villages in the Raymond Mhlaba municipality were affected, with Debe, Marhela and Dikidikana primary schools among the damaged facilities.
On Wednesday, Buffalo City mayor Princess Faku visited affected areas in Qonce with humanitarian group Gift of the Givers. The team delivered aid to 150 households.
Gift of the Givers’ Ali Sablay said the group was contacted quickly by local leaders.
Fuzile said the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Residents are urged to stay away from flooded areas and damaged power lines, and to report damage to their ward councillors.
Pictured above: Storm damage in Amathole district.
Image source: supplied
