Mop-up operations are under way after floods in KwaZulu-Natal claimed the lives of at least five people at the weekend.
Heavy rains and strong winds battered parts of the province, leaving hundreds of people without roofs over their heads. Among those who were killed is a one-year-old child.
The storm tore roofs off the houses and caused damage to power cables, roads, bridges and vehicles.
In a statement, the provincial government said: “Community halls and churches have opened their doors to the public while others [displaced residents] have sought alternative accommodation with relatives.”
LOOK: More than 100 houses in KwaZulu-Natal were completely destroyed and suffered complete damage, rendering families homeless following the heavy rains and strong winds. pic.twitter.com/QnjZr6pAz7
— Sakhiseni Nxumalo (@SakhiNxumalo) October 22, 2023
The department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) in the province was on the ground on Monday assessing the damage.
Joining the officials from the department are members of the provincial disaster management teams who are helping those affected by the floods.
Assessment under way
Cogta spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said: “All relevant departments are working together to assess the situation.
“Infrastructure like power lines have been destroyed. We will continue with the assessment.”
The Greater Kokstad municipality in the Harry Gwala district is among the areas heavily affected by heavy rains and a hailstorm.
The province further reported that about 23 households in the Rosetta informal settlement in the Mpofana local municipality were affected by the hailstorm on Saturday night.
In Ulundi in the Zululand district municipality, a block of rental rooms was blown away by strong winds. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs, conveyed her condolences to those affected.
Cape Town floods
She said a government team working alongside municipalities will assist with assessments to determine necessary government intervention.
In September, more than 10 people were killed when heavy rains accompanied by strong wind lashed parts of the Western Cape.
The destructive weather flooded homes, tore off roofs, destroyed crops and damaged roads and other infrastructure.
