KwaZulu-Natal flash floods: Five confirmed dead, others missing
Five people have been confirmed dead while others were reported missing following inclement weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) says the eThekwini Metro, KwaDukuza, and Ndwedwe Local Municipalities are the most affected by the inclement weather conditions, which led to flash floods.
Disaster Management teams in the province responded to several calls between 20:00 and 22:00 on Saturday night when the thunderstorm battered the coastal areas, causing severe damage to households, businesses, and infrastructure.
FIVE DEAD IN KWAZULU-NATAL FLASH FLOODS
KZN COGTA spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said as of Sunday afternoon, five fatalities have been confirmed under eThekwini Metro, while two people have been reported missing.
Mngadi said two people died in the Folweni area after a retaining wall collapsed on their structure and another person was confirmed dead in the K section in Umlazi due to a structural collapse.
“In another incident in Tongaat, two family members died when their shack collapsed on them during the heavy rains. Two more people went missing after floods washed away their informal structure in Tongaat,” Mngadi explained.
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Multiple Vehicles Damaged During Floods: KZN North Coast
— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) January 14, 2024
Dozens of vehicles were damaged after desperate motorists attempted crossing flooding roads during torrential rains.
The video posted shows an unoccupied silver Mercedes Benz being swept away on Gopalall Hurbans Road in… pic.twitter.com/PTiwTpF6NO
OVER 1000 PEOPLE AFFECTED
KwaZulu-Natal Search and Rescue Teams, led by the SAPS K9 Unit, IPSS Medical Rescue, and Reaction Unit SA, are currently conducting search and rescue operations on the ground.
Furthermore, Mngadi said preliminary reports indicate that eThekwini has recorded over 250 households with over 1000 people affected at this stage.
As a precaution, eThekwini Municipality has closed all beaches in the north, and some in the southern region are closed until further notice. Only Umgababa Beach remains open in the south region.
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In KwaDukuza, under Ilembe District, about 70 households have been confirmed to have been affected due to flooding affecting 300 people. Some roads in various areas were severely damaged, and traffic law enforcement has decided to close them to ensure the safety of motorists.
“In Ndwedwe, under Ilembe District, disaster teams received several calls from distressed families for help. So far, 70 homes have been affected, and our teams are currently providing relief, working with our social partners.
“In the south coast under Ugu District, several roads had to be closed, and traffic was diverted after flash floods damaged major roads. Several households were being assessed in Port Shepstone,” Mngadi explained.
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