KWAZULU-NATAL – A tornado briefly touched down in the Bishopstowe area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday afternoon, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The "short-lived" tornado lasted for approximately 20 minutes.
The SAWS has also issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms across central KZN on Monday, valid from noon until midnight, urging residents to remain vigilant.
According to the SAWS, a weak storm developed over the Bishopstowe area around 17:00 on Sunday and remained stationary, creating conditions conducive to tornado formation.
"The curved landscape likely helped the storm to rotate and even produce small hail. Soon after, stronger storms moved in from the west, increasing wind, moisture and instability," the SAWS explained.
This sequence of events led to the tornado forming between 17:20 and 17:40. As sunset approached at 17:51 and satellite imagery became less clear, "spotting the details of the tornado in real time became more difficult," the SAWS added.
KwaZulu-Natal has been experiencing severe storms since last week, with coastal regions such as eThekwini and Pietermaritzburg bearing the brunt of the damage. These storms have been marked by gale-force winds, thunder, and hail, resulting in uprooted trees, damaged power lines, and flooded major roads.
Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported as a result of the tornado or the preceding storms.
Cleanup operations began on Monday morning in the affected areas. The KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department (Cogta) said that technical assessments were under way to evaluate the extent of the damage.
"The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, is working closely with the affected municipalities to restore services and clear debris," said KZN Cogta spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila. "A comprehensive update will be provided once technical assessments are concluded."
Meanwhile, the SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms across central KZN on Monday. The warning is valid from noon until midnight.
In the SAWS’s colour-coded weather warning system, yellow indicates a moderate risk of impact that requires caution and awareness. The SAWS uses numbers to indicate the likelihood of weather-based impacts occurring, with levels 2 and 6 being high and level 4 being low.
Yellow 2 warning for severe thunderstorms
Area: KwaZulu Natal
Validity: 06 April 2026#saws #warning #SAWeather pic.twitter.com/fLOh7mf2B2— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) April 6, 2026
The warning predicts heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds, which could lead to localised flooding and hazardous road conditions. Residents are urged to stay indoors, avoid low-lying bridges, and secure vehicles and livestock in safe, sheltered locations.
The recent tornado and ongoing severe storms highlight the increasing vulnerability of KwaZulu-Natal to extreme weather events. The authorities are urging residents to take all necessary precautions and stay informed about weather updates to ensure their safety.
The SAWS continues to monitor the situation closely and will issue further warnings as necessary. Residents are advised to follow official channels for the latest information and guidance.
