RESIDENTS whose electricity supply was disrupted in the gale force winds that battered the city at the weekend have been assured that power will be restored within the next 24 hours.
This assurance comes from Mayor Zandile Gumede who said around 50 power lines were knocked down by trees as a result of the gale force winds over the weekend, with approximately 1 000 customers affected by electricity outages. She said officials were hard at work restoring electricity to those affected.
“Around half of the affected customers have had their electricity restored already. Power is expected to be back within 24 hours in areas that are still affected. Our dedicated team will continue to work until all customers’ electricity is restored.”
She said teams had been working on a shift rotation since Saturday, to address the issue. She appealed for calm and patience from affected residents. “The team is working tirelessly to ensure that everyone’s electricity supply is restored.”
She said the City was also assisting families displaced as a result of the weather. “There are about 428 houses that are reportedly damaged. This includes structural damage to houses where walls have collapsed and roofs blown off. Six families sharing a compound in uMlazi V-section, ward 76, were affected when their structure collapsed in the strong winds. Twenty people, including six disabled people, were affected. The families have been left with no shelter and are in need of temporary accommodation. We are assisting them as the City,” said Gumede.
In terms of injuries, she said cases had been reported in Lindelani, Ntuzuma, uMlazi, Sewula and Newlands. However, the city was still establishing if they were as a result of the gale force winds.
Affected residents are urged to contact the Disaster and Emergency Unit on 031 361 00 00. Communities can also report incidents via WhatsApp on 073 148 3477.
