Body washes up after devastating floods

In the aftermath of the devastating floods that wreaked havoc across Durban over the weekend, pressure is mounting for government to declare a state of disaster across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) reported that a severe storm systems left a trail of destruction in eThekweni, KwaDukuza, and Ndwedwe.

Government sources confirmed that five people lost their lives in eThekweni, and two individuals are still missing, presumed to have been washed away by the floodwaters. Emergency services, including police, municipalities, and private companies, launched search and rescue operations on Sunday to locate those missing and provide assistance to affected areas.

The affected regions, including Stanger, Verulam, Tongaat, Phoenix, Umhlanga, Umdloti, and parts of Durban South, witnessed homes and roads submerged, forcing residents to evacuate. The damage extended to electrical infrastructure, plunging large portions of the affected areas into darkness.

Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman said a number of suburbs in Umhlanga had been severely affected, with residents assisting each other in recovery efforts. Some areas faced power and water outages, while others witnessed substantial sinkholes rendering roads impassable.

“Our areas have to be declared as a disaster ones. The damage is immense. We need government support here to rebuild,” said Ms Bollman.

According to Ward 59 councillor Nkosiyezwe Mhlongo, the community was grappling with dealing with damaged property, washed-away vehicles, and submerged bridges. The floodplain location of Tongaat exacerbated the situation, with mudslides and infrastructure damage reported.

Residents in Verulam are facing water shortages, relying on tanker deliveries, and contending with widespread road closures, mudslides, and power outages.

Ward councillor Yogis Govender highlighted the surprise nature of the storm and heavy rainfall.

Residents and community groups criticised the emergency response, citing unanswered calls to emergency centres and difficulties accessing flooded areas. Community-led search and rescue efforts proved crucial during the early morning hours of the storm.

In response, KZN Cogta dispatched disaster response teams, providing relief aid, including blankets and mattresses, to affected communities. Preliminary reports indicate significant household and population impact in eThekweni metro, Kwadukuza, and Ndwedwe. KZN Cogta MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi expressed devastation over another weather-related disaster and assured a comprehensive response in coordination with various departments.

Water tankers have been dispatched to assist those areas that have been left without water again as a result of damaged infrastructure and clean-up teams have been sent out to clear debris from roads.

Late on Monday afternoon, the body of an unidentified man was recovered in a river on Industrial Park Drive in Redfern, Phoenix.

Reaction Unit South Africa’s spokesman Prem Balram said a passer-by had flagged down one of their members after making the discovery.

“Our paramedics and officers proceeded to the river and discovered the man’s body under a culvert. Most of his body was wrapped in debris. We believe the man drowned as a result of Saturday night’s storm. We are awaiting confirmation of his identity,” said Mr Balram.

He said they continued to search for another man who is still missing since the storm on Saturday.