Newcastle Local Municipality is mobilising its resources in the wake of a severe thunderstorm that struck on Sunday afternoon, bringing with it heavy rainfall that has resulted in significant flooding and damage to infrastructure across the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding areas. 

This weather event has disrupted daily life and prompted emergency responses from local authorities with Mayor Xolani Dube leading a delegation to assess the damage from Sunday’s severe thunderstorm that impacted the municipality. 

“The municipality’s Disaster Management and Technical Services teams are on the ground, working diligently to clear debris, restore essential services, and provide assistance to those in need. Affected areas include Ayliff Street, Kirkland Street, Scott and Bird Street, Patterson and Allen Street, and Amcor Dam Road Umfolozi, which remains closed,” the municipality said. 

“The municipality urges the public to report any emergencies or storm-related incidents to the Newcastle Municipality Disaster Management Centre on 034 328 4700 or 079 542 8228. Municipal engineers and technical teams are already on the ground conducting site inspections to evaluate the extent of storm-related damage and develop a comprehensive recovery plan.” 

On Monday morning, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communication and Customer Relations Unit reported the temporary closure of the Newcastle Municipality Library due to flooding caused by the thunderstorms. 

Operations will return to normal on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

On Sunday night, the municipality reported that the town was experiencing a power outage due to the flooding of substations at Siyahlala-la and Edison Street in the industrial area.

Power was expected to be restored by Monday. 

The municipality apologised to affected residents for the inconvenience caused by the recent thunderstorms and heavy rains.

Earlier, the municipality said Disaster Management and Technical Services teams had been urgently deployed following a severe thunderstorm that struck Newcastle, resulting in localised flooding in several parts of the CBD and nearby areas.

It said municipal teams were on-site, assessing the situation and implementing immediate response measures to ensure public safety and minimise further impact.

The municipality has initiated several interventions in response to the recent flooding. Disaster Management personnel were assisting flood-affected businesses and property owners in flooded zones. Municipal engineers and technical teams are assessing storm damage, particularly where road surfaces and paving have been lifted.

The municipality said all water and sewer-related complaints can be reported to 087 740 8839 and electrical complaints to 034 312 1201 during office hours and after hours to 034 328 4700, and fire, disaster and traffic emergencies to 034 328 4700 or 079 542 8228. 

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi dispatched Disaster Management teams to the Newcastle area.

Buthelezi issued a warning to all Newcastle residents, urging them to exercise extreme caution, particularly on the roads, and to comply with the directives of emergency services.

Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said this localised incident is set against a backdrop of broader inclement weather conditions for the province. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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