The constant rainfall across KwaZulu-Natal over the past few days has resulted in Disaster Management teams dealing with bouts of destruction across the province.
Addressing the issues caused by the weather, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN COGTA) explained that the provincial disaster management centre had met with various entities regarding the damages.
With the South African Weather Services (SAWS) supplying a report on the upcoming week, the Department said that the SAWS report revealed that the rainy weather will subside from Tuesday, 13 December 2022, to Thursday, 15 December 2022. However, predictions are that the heavy rains will return over the weekend.
“A caution was given that during the next three months the province is likely to receive more rain. The Disaster teams were urged to remain on high alert to prevent fatalities,” said the MEC.
According to KZN COGTA, numerous incidents were reported from different District Municipalities, but no fatalities were noted.
The following is a breakdown of reported incidents:
- 10 houses in different wards under Umngeni Local Municipality were partially damaged. The affected households are to be assisted by the Umngeni Local Municipality, with plastic sheeting, mattresses and blankets.
- Four households in the Oshabeni area in Ugu Districts were affected, assessments were being done and relief will be dispatched thereafter.
- One lightning incident was reported in Nquthu and another one in Emadlangeni (Utrecht) municipality. According to KZN COGTA, both people, fortunately, survived the incident.
- 10 Households in Ndwedwe municipality have been affected, assessments are being conducted and relief will be provided as soon as the needs have been ascertained.
Midmar and Henley Dams in Umsunduzi Local municipality are reported to be overflowing and there is a potential risk to households downstream. The municipality was urged to immediately alert the households that may be vulnerable and to activate evacuation procedures where necessary.
A mudslide was reported at La Mercy under eThekwini metropolitan municipality where 30 to 40 houses are affected or flooded.
The South African Social Security Agency confirmed that they are ready to assist with food vouchers as soon as they are furnished with the lists of households in need.
“The South African Red Cross Society and the Al-Imdaad Foundation also indicated that they remain ready to assist if called upon to do so.”
The Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs indicated that they are also ready to assist businesses and tourism establishments in distress and appealed to municipalities to indicate if such a need arises.
Furthermore, Eskom took to social media on Monday, 12 December 2022 stating that Eskom in KZN was experiencing high volumes of outages due to prevailing storms.
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