A motorist has been stuck in a tree on the Umbilo River in Pinetown near Durban.

It follows a tornado and heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal over the past two days.

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) crew members conducted the rescue of the motorist who had escaped his vehicle and climbed into the tree.

This as the heavy rains had caused overflows from the Umbilo River.

NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon says that at least four motorists were washed away in the region.

One person has died following the heavy rainfall in the province.

Meanwhile the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department in the province says that assessments continue of the impacted areas.

KwaZulu-Natal is dealing with the impact of last year’s heavy rains, that caused the destruction of some roads and homes.