KZN storms kill six as tornado rips through Bishopstowe and Tongaat

Severe storms lashed KwaZulu-Natal over the Easter weekend, killing at least six people and causing widespread damage across Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and the surrounding regions. Emergency teams began assessments on Monday to determine the full scale of the destruction.

Why it matters: KZN remains one of South Africa’s most storm-vulnerable provinces. The weekend’s damage follows a pattern of increasingly severe weather events that have exposed gaps in disaster preparedness and urban planning.

Tornado confirmed in Bishopstowe

The South African Weather Service confirmed a brief tornado struck Bishopstowe, near Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday afternoon between 5:20pm and 5:40pm. A weak storm cell formed shortly after 5pm, and the region’s terrain contributed to the rotation that also produced hail.

The tornado ripped through Bishopstowe, Lincoln Meade, Hayfields, and parts of Scottsville. Dozens of large trees were uprooted, severing arterial transport routes.

At the Checkers Scottsville Mall, a vehicle sheltering from hail was pinned beneath a falling tree that crushed the car’s exterior. The occupants were trapped but escaped without injury. A large tree also collapsed across the N3 southbound off-ramp, causing extensive delays on the national highway.

Tongaat devastation

A separate tornado struck Tongaat, north of Durban, causing extensive damage to homes and schools. According to eNCA, more than 1,200 families were displaced.

The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs confirmed the adverse weather struck coastal regions, particularly eThekwini and Pietermaritzburg, bringing gale-force winds, thunder, and hail.

Response underway

Ward 37 councillor in Msunduzi Municipality reported that emergency teams are clearing debris and restoring access routes. Officials confirmed on Monday that detailed assessments are underway to determine the full extent of damage and what interventions are needed.

The South African Weather Service has issued further warnings for severe thunderstorms in the province this week.