South Africa: Power outage occurring in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, late Oct. 11

Event

A power outage is occurring in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, as of late Oct. 11. The outage appears to have been caused by a massive explosion at the Klaarwater primary substation. Municipal authorities have stated the blackout is affecting the city's northern, western, and southern areas and did not state a timeframe at which electrical services would return to normal. Officials have asked residents in the affected areas to unplug all major and nonessential appliances. Intermittent outages may continue through Oct. 12.

Commercial and communication disruptions are likely in blackout-affected areas. Businesses without backup generators may have to suspend operations temporarily. Non-functioning traffic lights may result in traffic disruptions and longer driving times. The power outage may also cause municipal water outages, telecommunication disruptions, and disruptions to electronic water filtration systems. Lingering power outages are possible after regular supply resumes.

Advice

Charge all communication and portable electronic devices when possible. Unplug electronic equipment that is not connected to surge protectors. Exercise caution while driving in areas affected by the power outage, as traffic signals may not be operational. Ensure that generators are functional. Confirm business appointments. Verify that security systems are working, including after power resumes. Follow all security personnel instructions.