A comprehensive report on the extent of the damage from this past weekend’s floods in KZN has yet to be released, but a provincial government official said a ‘worrying picture’ was emerging.
The KZN coast was battered on the weekend by its second round of storms in five weeks, along with flooding, leading to a Level 10 red warning from the South African weather bureau. This is the highest possible weather warning, issued along with an expectation of at least 200mm of rain still expected in the province.
Mudslides have occurred at Umdloti’s North Beach Road, and motorists have been advised to be cautious in the area.
North of Durban, the communities of La Mercy, Umdloti and Seatides, were the worst hit in the weekend’s rains.
The worst hit areas are along the coastal and north-eastern parts of KZN.
Low-lying areas in the south of the city, including Isipingo, experienced damage to infrastructure. Roads were washed away in parts of Pinetown.
La Mercy, north of Durban, has effectively been cut off for now after the collapse of parts of the road linking the area to the N2. Access from the south was cut off in last month’s floods and has still not been restored, according to the Mail & Guardian.
The areas targeted by the weather warning are Hluhluwe, Ethekwini, Jozini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Ndwedwe, Nongoma, Ulundi, Umdoni, Umhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi and uPhongolo.
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday (May 22), Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka said that there was still no comprehensive report on the impact of the latest rains, but that a “worrying” picture was emerging.
A statement from the KZN Government shows that relief efforts are ongoing, to ensure all displaced people in community halls are receiving adequate assistance, social support services and medical assistance.
“We are thankful that in these areas, no one was reported to have died,” KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala informed media yesterday, May 23.
“We have seen the damage is huge. The M4 was already closed due to the previous floods in April affecting the bridge, but the road has also been severely damaged. It is impossible to use that road for a while.”
Tourism KZN and Durban Tourism were approached, but had not responded to Travel News’ request for further details at this time.
Durban beaches polluted
Durban beaches are facing extended closures because of high sewage pollution levels and chemical and oil pollution from a variety of sources, including a ‘sludge overflow’ from the Sapref oil refinery during the April floods.
All beaches in the Durban municipal area are regarded as polluted. “All water activities are prohibited. Beachgoers are urged to heed this warning, because disregarding it could result in outbreaks of waterborne diseases, that may be fatal,” the city said in a public statement.
