About 40 people have died and five are still missing due to adverse weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
With the wet weather set to continue well into the weekend and the next week, weather forecasters have warned of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms over the next few days, raising much concern.
The death toll due to adverse weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has risen to 40, with an additional five people still missing, according to the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
COGTA's teams are assessing the situation in various parts of the province amid ongoing inclement weather. Search-and-rescue efforts following flash floods in Ladysmith on Christmas Eve resulted in the recovery of 23 bodies. Additionally, two farm-workers in Bergville were recently struck by lightning.
COGTA spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said 74 people had sustained injuries due to the rains. Some were transported to hospitals, while others received on-site treatment. The inclement weather caused damages to 800 households, with 247 dwellings completely destroyed, leaving 47 people homeless and more than 4 000 individuals affected.
COGTA said it was in contact with those who had been affected, and were providing the necessary support as part of its disaster relief efforts in collaboration with social partners.
COGTA MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi thanked the rescue teams, including the SAPS K9 Unit, Al-Imdaad Foundation for Disaster, South African Red Cross, and IPSS Medical Rescue, for their commitment to finding most of those who had been reported missing.
Ms Sithole-Moloi commended the search-and-rescue teams for their tireless efforts on the ground. While acknowledging the pain of losing loved ones, she emphasised the closure that came with search-and-rescue teams recovering the remains of those who were missing. Some families had already laid their loved ones to rest, with the department providing support, she added.
She urged people to remain vigilant during rainstorms, especially those driving, advising caution and avoiding attempts to cross swollen rivers.
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