Severe weather causes devastation in three districts with three fatalities confirmed, while others suffer injuries
The KwaZulu-Natal Disaster Management teams have responded to several fatal disaster incidents in different parts of the province after heavy rains battered various areas on Friday evening.
At this stage, our reports indicate that three districts, Harry Gwala, Umgungundlovu, and Umzinyathi District, have been affected, and our teams are currently providing disaster relief, working together with search and rescue teams.
In the area of Thelaphi near Dundee, under Umzinyathi District, a man died after his vehicle was washed away while attempting to cross the flooded bridge. In the Umzimkhulu area under Harry Gwala District, a vehicle was washed away in Cabhani River with two occupants. The search and rescue teams responded swiftly to the incident, the vehicle has been recovered, and both occupants had sadly passed away.
In Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg under Umgungundlovu District, a household was destroyed by heavy rains, leaving children injured.
KZN Cogta MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. She has reiterated the call for communities to exercise vigilance during this period.
“We are concerned that we continue to lose lives through car incidents which we believe could have been avoided. We are appealing to motorists and pedestrians to refrain from crossing swollen rivers. As rains continue, most of the rivers are already overflowing. Low-lying bridges pose a serious threat where water runs above them. We would like to plead with all people who are travelling to wait until the water level drops.
We can avoid some of these fatal incidents if we exercise caution by not putting our lives at risk by trying to cross flooded bridges. Our disaster teams, working together with all affected municipalities, are continuing with their assessment. We have engaged with other departments to offer the relevant assistance to the affected families,” said MEC Sithole-Moloi.
With more rains expected in different parts of the province, our disaster teams will remain on high alert. We strongly advise communities to be in safe areas during rains and not attempt to cross flooded bridges, streams, and rivers.
Media enquiries:
Siboniso Mngadi
Cell: 078 106 3911
Nonala Ndlovu
Cell: 066 282 6903
