![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/09/electricity-2366011_960_720.jpg)
THE eThekwini Municipality has apologised to residents who have been without electricity for the past two days as a result of gale force winds at the weekend.
More than 50 power lines were knocked down by the trees and about 1000 customers were affected by electricity outages.
ALSO READ: Gale force winds wreak havoc in KZN
Mayor Zandile Gumede said in a press statement to media on Monday that power is expected to be restored in the next 24 hours to those areas that were affected.
“About half of the affected customers had their power restored already. Power is expected to be back in 24 hours to those areas that are still affected. Our dedicated team will continue to work until all customers have their electricity supply restored. They have been working on a rotation shift since Saturday, 16 September. I want to appeal for calm and patience as we are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone receives electricity supply back,” said Gumede.
Municipal officials are also hard at work trying to find accommodation for displaced families.
“There are about 428 houses reported to have been damaged. This includes houses that collapsed and those that had their roof blown away. Six families sharing a compound at Umlazi V, ward 76, were affected by the strong winds when the structure collapsed. A total of 20 people including six disabled were affected. The families were left with no shelter and are currently in desperate need for temporary accommodation and we are attending to their situation,” Gumede added.
ALSO READ: 5 tips for driving in wet weather
There are also cases of serious injuries that have been reported in Lindelani, Ntuzuma, uMlazi, Sewula and Newlands but the Municipality is establishing if they are related to the gale force winds.
Residents are urged to contact Disaster and Emergency Unit on 031 361 00 00 and the communities can also report incidents via a WhatsApp Number on 073 148 3477
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.