Residents in several low-lying parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been urged to evacuate after heavy rainfall and flooding.
‘All emergency services teams were on the ground from last night, including search and rescue, SA National Defence Force, and private companies where evacuations were performed,’ eThekwini municipality head of disaster management Vincent Ngubane told News24. ‘Relief interventions are ongoing to ensure that all community halls with displaced people are receiving adequate relief assistance, social support services, and medical assistance.’
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecast more rain on the province’s north coast for Monday, 23 May, saying that ‘Due to the pre-existing condition of water-saturated soils in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, rainfall amounts exceeding 20mm are likely to lead to localised flooding.’
An Orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain leading to flooding was issued. Mudslides can be expected over the extreme north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
Graphic: SAWS
Localised flooding over the weekend caused severe damage to homes and infrastructure on the coast and specifically Umdloti, only weeks after flooding battered the same area. Residents shared videos on social media.
Picture: Screenshot from video by World Today
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