The eThekwini Municipality says atleast one person has been confirmed dead and more than 200 people have been evacuated from their homes following the heavy rain in KwaZulu Natal.
Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs in the province, provided an update on the on the measures taken as the rain continued to cause havoc and the number of people evacuated.
“Overnight the province yet again, underwent some of the worst storms that have been accompanied by floods resulting in the destruction that comes with such situations. We are yet to receive a full comprehensive report on the impact of these latest heavy rains, but as reports come in a worrying picture is however emerging,” Hlomuka said.
The MEC said the province received alert level 10 warning from the South Africa Weather Service (Saws) about disruptive rainfall which would hit the Hluhluwe, eThekwini, Jozini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatube, Ndwedwe, Nongoma, Ulundi, Umdoni, Umhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi and uPhongolo municipal areas.
He said heavy rainfalls have resulted in flooding, damaged properties and human settlements, with several roads in Pinetown and surrounding areas being closed due to the flooding. Several bridges and roads in eThekwini, especially uMdloti, La Mercy and other have also been affected by the heavy rain and road users have been urged to be on high alert.
“As the number of calls at the control centre has increased, the department has appealed to the SANDFto be deployed to the northern parts of Durban for urgent response. The metro police and fire department are assisting with water pumping and road closure where the roads are affected,” Hlomuka said.
Source: ENCA, Eyewitness News, Sowetan Live, Times Live, image from Sowetan Live: Ant Tulleken
