Thursday night’s heavy downpours wreak havoc across KwaZulu-Natal
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The body of a woman was recovered from a river in Pinetown after her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters during Thursday night’s torrential downpours, that caused widespread damage and disruptions across KwaZulu-Natal.
Emergency teams located the woman’s vehicle on Gordon Road in Sarnia, Pinetown, on Friday morning. Authorities temporarily closed the road to facilitate the safe retrieval of the vehicle. According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, the woman is believed to be in her early 50s.
“We expect more rains, and people are advised to take precautions. If you don’t need to travel, please stay home as many roads remain waterlogged and strewn with debris,” Mr Jamieson urged.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has issued urgent warnings for residents to remain vigilant as severe weather conditions continue to impact parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
A Level 6 weather warning remains in place for the eThekwini Metro, as well as the Ugu, iLembe, and uMgungundlovu Districts, while the rest of the province remains under a Level 4 warning. More heavy rainfall is expected over the coming days.
MEC for Cogta, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has urged residents to take the warnings seriously, emphasising the risks posed by the extreme weather conditions.
“These conditions pose a significant risk to human life and livestock,” Mr Buthelezi stated.
The torrential downpours have already caused extensive flooding, uprooted trees, and power outages affecting multiple communities. Technical teams are working around the clock to restore electricity and clear debris from affected areas.
In eThekwini, the heavy rains turned deadly when the woman’s vehicle was swept off a bridge in Pinetown. Search and Rescue teams recovered both the vehicle and her body in the early hours of Friday morning.
Extending condolences to the bereaved family, Mr Buthelezi assured residents that mop-up operations are underway, particularly in the eThekwini Metro, to mitigate the effects of the storm.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is actively working with all municipalities to assess the full extent of the damage. Preliminary reports indicate substantial damage to road infrastructure and disruptions to service delivery,” Mr Buthelezi said.
Disaster Management teams remain on high alert, closely monitoring major routes and disaster-prone areas to ensure a swift response to any further emergencies.
The heavy rainfall has also affected the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve in Kloof, resulting in a temporary closure. The main entrance and parking area on Kloof Falls Road sustained significant damage.
“For the safety of our visitors, the reserve will be closed until further notice while our team assesses the extent of the damage to trails and facilities. The conference centre remains open for function bookings,” a spokesperson for the reserve said.
Additionally, the Kloof and Highway SPCA has suffered structural damage, with fallen trees, flooded offices, and power outages leaving the facility without electricity, phone, or internet services. However, the organisation has reassured the public that all animals under their care are safe.
With further rains anticipated, residents are urged to remain cautious and adhere to safety advisories issued by authorities.