Disaster Management Team Assists Communities Affected By Flood In Kwazulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management is helping people affected by floods in the northern part of the province — especially in Mtubatuba, where at least four people died over the weekend.

The province's disaster management department shared on Monday that heavy rainfall and strong winds had caused the destruction of infrastructure, including power cables, roads, bridges and vehicles.

"Up to now, more than 70 houses in the Somkhele and KwaMyeki areas have been identified as destroyed. Some houses suffered complete damage, rendering families homeless," the department said, SA News reported.

It noted that "certain areas Eskom poles and cables are scattered across roads and people's properties," adding that the "community halls and churches have opened their doors to the public, while others have sought alternative accommodation with relatives."

The Greater Kokstad Municipality in the Harry Gwala District also experienced similar flooding, and six houses were affected. However, no fatalities, injuries or displaced individuals have been reported yet.

Four households were affected within Umzimkhulu Municipality, while in Umgungundlovu District, at least 23 houses were destroyed during the flooding.

According to Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC, the disaster management teams are now on-site in order to provide relief, including mattresses, blankets, food and plastic sheeting.

"We are collaborating with other government departments, such as social development and human settlements, to aid all victims," she said. "Our teams, in conjunction with municipalities, will persist in assessments to determine necessary government intervention."

Sithole-Moloi also extended condolences to those who lost loved ones in the disaster, adding that such incidents were unavoidable. She then encouraged communities to take safety precautions like relocating to other areas where they could be safe.

In June, KwaZulu-Natal province witnessed a landspout that killed seven people, including a teenage girl and two women in their 20s. A resident named Phumlani Mthembu disclosed at the time that it was already the third time his house had been destroyed due to natural calamities.

The heavy rainfall caused by the landspout destroyed 70 houses in the eThekwini Metro, while 110 houses were partially damaged. More than 552 people were affected by the incident, and over 150 individuals were left homeless by the disaster.