An eight-year-old child drowned in Pietermaritzburg on Friday as heavy rain continues to hit parts of the province.
The KwaZulu-Natal Corporative Governance Department confirmed the news, adding that details of the incident were still being probed.
Cogta KZN is urging all communities to ensure that they continue to take extreme caution as these rains continue and ensure that children are kept safe and also educated about the dangers of water.
This comes as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level 5 and level 9 warning for heavy rain and possible flooding in the province.
In the latest update, the western part of KZN has since dropped to level 2 while the north dropped to level 4.
“As a result of prolonged and significant amounts of rainfall accumulation, flooding of roads and settlements, displacement of communities and danger to life as a result of fast flowing, deep water is expected,” SAWS said.
Communities were urged to remain cautious around large bodies of water.
KZN Cogta MEC sihle Zikalala said his office has been alerted to minor incidents.
“Our disaster management teams are on the ground attending these incidents. There are also reports on electricity faults and the Eskom teams are on the ground are attending to this as and when they are reported.
“We are urging everyone to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay away from the large bodies of water,” he said.
According to eThekwini Municipality, residents in wards 1 and 2 are warned that the bridge at Mkizwana at Phumekhaya Road, which connects the two wards, has been over-flooded due to the continuing rainfall.
“The bridge is currently unsafe to use and residents are cautioned against trying to cross or going near the bridge until the water subsides,” the City said.
Motorists are also urged to avoid Roadhouse Crescent, under Connaught Interchange.
Source: Eyewitness News, IOL, image from Twitter: @ZimojaL
