On Monday, 11 April the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) saw the start of extreme rainfall after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) released a level five warning. By Tuesday, 12 April, SAWS had escalated the weather warning to level eight. The two days of heavy rainfall resulted in the destruction of both lives and infrastructure, throwing the province into disarray. As a result, the KZN Provincial Executive Council calls for a state of disaster to be declared.
What a state of disaster means for KZN
On Tuesday 12 April, the KZN Provincial Executive Council held a special meeting to receive all reports of disaster incidents. Following the meeting, Premier Sihle Zikalala stated that it is clear the storm “unleashed massive damage to lives and infrastructure”. Adding that KZN had experienced one of the “worst weather storms in the history of our country”. As a result, the KZN council has called for a national state of disaster to be declared.
“Declaring a state of disaster will enable the province to apply for emergency funding from National Treasury and grant authority to reprioritise our current budgets in order to address the reconstruction work necessary to bring the province back to normal”
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala
The funds will be much needed following the storm which resulted in “undoubtedly billions of rand worth of damage”. Damage which has affected all races and sectors of society.
Continued Flooding
Although the worst of the storm has passed, its effects are still present in many areas of the province. Many rivers are still overflowing and some roads remain blocked.
In particular, the Premier warns, “Some rivers in Amawoti and Quarry Heights are also overflowing, and residents are advised to move to alternative accommodation. Stapleton Road in Pinetown was also flooded and motorists were encouraged to avoid it.”
Zikalala adds, “The Amanzimtoti area has also been flooded and the City’s Roads and Stormwater teams were in the area unblocking drains to minimise flooding”.