In 3 days, as many as 45 people died as a result of around 135 fires throughout South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique, fanned by storms and unseasonal winds. Homes, vehicles, plantations and equipment have been destroyed.
Damage is estimated to be at least R265-million, about Australian $40.5 million or Euro23.5 million.
Andre Oberholzer from Sappi Ltd, the world's biggest maker of glossy magazine paper, has reported the loss of plantations.
The South African Weather Service report the wind and storms are causing waves of more than 6 meters (20 feet) high at ports from the Orange River on South Africa's northwest border with Namibia to Durban in the southeast. Snow and hail also hits parts of country. Johannesburg, the biggest city, experienced temperatures of as low as 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Blackouts in parts of Johannesburg have been caused by damaged power lines. In Cape Town, a high tourist city, high winds and torrential downpours flooded roads and caused power disruptions
It is reported that the Nena-J, a bulk carrier owned by Fairsky Shipping & Trading SA, may go aground near Gansbaai off South Africa's south west coast. Attempts by a tug to tow the ship had been thwarted by the rough seas. The ship, which has a deadweight of 42,230 tons according to Bloomberg data, is transporting steel pipe to Chile from India.
Author
Claim Solutions Pty Ltd.
Insurance Policy
Country: - South Africa
Policy Description: - Domestic, Livestock, Crop, Plant & Equipment
Insurer: - Various
External Links
South Africa Disaster Management Centre
South African Government Information
