KwaZulu-Natal is currently experiencing severe flooding, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, resulting in additional displacements and disruptions. The provincial government has raised the alert level, indicating potential further flooding. Significant loss of life, destruction of housing units, and infrastructural damage has prompted emergency response efforts from government and NGOs to support affected communities. Residents are advised to seek higher ground and avoid travel for safety.
KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the eThekwini region, has suffered further devastation due to heavy rains that intensified the damage from recent flooding, rendering many individuals homeless while disrupting transportation and local businesses. The South African Weather Service has issued a heightened level 5 warning, indicating that additional flooding is imminent in susceptible areas, primarily in the western and southern parts of the province.
Over the last two months, flooding in KwaZulu-Natal has tragically resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people. Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, highlighted the extensive losses, noting that “We have lost more than 20 people in the last two months, and we continue to count the costs… The cost of these floods runs into hundreds of millions.”
In addition, the recent flooding has led to the relocation of over 3,600 families and the loss of 2,224 housing units, with many still awaiting temporary accommodations. Emergency services and various NGOs, including the Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation, have mobilized to support the victims of these floods. Citizens are urgently advised to remain indoors and minimize travel due to the hazardous conditions.
Furthermore, Reverend Buthelezi urged residents in vulnerable areas, particularly those near riverbanks, to evacuate to higher ground for safety. He emphasized, “We strongly urge residents in low-lying areas… to immediately move away and seek shelter on higher ground.” The province’s leadership remains gravely concerned about the implications of the severe thunderstorms and potential further flooding, which could exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The ongoing floods in KwaZulu-Natal have compounded the devastation from prior disasters, leading to significant loss of life and vast infrastructural damage. With rising concerns over severe weather forecasts, authorities continue to prioritize the safety of residents, urging evacuations from hazardous areas while coordinating relief efforts for those affected. As KwaZulu-Natal grapples with this crisis, the need for immediate assistance and long-term recovery remains paramount.
Original Source: allafrica.com
