Margate flooding: Four people, including child, killed

Four people, including a child, have been killed following Sunday’s torrential downpours in Margate. 

FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE MARGATE FLOODING

According to reports, a man, woman, and a young child were in one of the vehicles that washed off the roadway, while a man was struck by lightning.

Emergency services had their hands full on Sunday night following heavy downpours across the district.

Ray Nkonyeni municipal manager Khetha Zulu told eNCA they are yet to quantify the cost of damages incurred.

EMERGENCY SERVICES HAD THEIR HANDS FULL ON SUNDAY

Videos made the rounds on social media showing serious damage to roads caused by the rains and water gushing down Marine Drive towards the beach.

Power outages that lasted throughout the night until midday on Monday were reported in areas including Port Edward. 

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in eThekwini, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni and Umzumbe, with damaging winds, lightning, hail and heavy downpours observed along the south coast and Margate reporting up to 140mm.

Heavy rains and excessive winds have battered parts of the KZN South Coast. This video shows the area outside Sasol in Margate. Please avoid the area (if possible) #KZN #KZNWeather @IOL pic.twitter.com/1Mz7E7AiOh

— Se-Anne Rall (@seannerall) April 15, 2024

WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES THAT LASTED HOURS WERE REPORTED

Residents were warned to be careful or avoid travelling on bridges and roads in low-lying areas as these may be susceptible to flooding and sinkholes. 

They were also warned to avoid outdoor activities as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries and death. 

“If possible, stay indoors, shelter pets and cover vehicles. Move livestock and cars to safe, sheltered areas as there may be flying debris,”- the SAWS said. 

This is not the first time that storms and flooding have battered these parts of the province. 

The storm has not settled yet, and the Margate community is already getting ready to start the cleanup.#Margate 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ly0QX5O3jF

— AgentLeon (@AgentLeonV3) April 15, 2024

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT STORMS AND FLOODING HAVE BATTERED PARTS OF KZN

A total of  435 people died in the deadly floods in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. 

The April 2022 flooding has been described as the most catastrophic natural disaster yet recorded in KwaZulu-Natal. Farmers, residents, and families took longer than a year to recover from the destruction.

During the time of the flooding the SANDF also deployed units to help with rescue and recovery missions. 

In addition, police minister Bheki Cele said more than 4 800 personnel had been deployed to assist in emergency relief efforts.

The officials deployed included more than 3 000 SAPS members. Visible Policing, Public Order Police, Detectives, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team and SAPS Search and Rescue teams.

These teams have been supported by over 900 KZN metro police personnel. Visible Police and Public Order Police have been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent opportunistic crimes at identified areas in communities and business centres.

Heavy rain is expected to continue to wreak havoc in KwaZulu-Natal.

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