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The flooding in Ladysmith has reached the point where the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for CoGTA Sipho Hlomuka has deployed additional disaster management teams.
The teams are currently evacuating residents in Ladysmith and Msinga.
According to a statement from KZN CoGTA, the evacuation process began following heavy rains over the weekend that caused local rivers to burst their banks. The town of Ladysmith received such heavy rain over the weekend, the Kliprivier burst its banks and flooded parts of the CBD.
Heavy rains in Msinga have caused the uThukela River to burst its banks and flood the surrounding area.
Residents are being evacuated to safer locations, such as community halls, by disaster management teams. Hlomuka has urged residents in low-lying areas to seek refuge on higher ground. He has also advised communities not to build along riverbanks. Hlomuka has also warned residents not to cross low-lying bridges.
“So far 70 residents have been evacuated from the flooded areas in Ladysmith and moved to the Indoor Sports Centre. Disaster management teams are working together with various non-governmental organisations to provide immediate relief, such as blankets, sponges and hot meals to the affected residents,” KZN CoGTA says.
Hlomuka praised the disaster management teams and social partners for their quick response to this incident. So far, no one has been killed or injured.
Disaster management teams are still monitoring the situation throughout the province.
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