Government responds and sends condolences to flood victims
Community members are advised to avoid crossing low lying bridges, streams and rivers; and motorists are encouraged to exercise caution and avoid driving on flooded areas.
GOVERNMENT is deeply saddened and sends condolences to the family and friends of the people who were killed and injured in incidents resulting from heavy rains and floods that the country is experiencing.
The recent floods have severely battered parts of KwaZulu Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape, leaving behind a trail of destruction, as reported in the media, with many lives lost and others injured, as well as homes and properties destroyed.
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The provincial governments are working around the clock to alleviate the impact of these extreme weather conditions on communities and to bring the lives of the people affected back to normality.
Government is encouraged by the concerted efforts by the affected communities that came together during a crisis to help those in need. “South Africans are resilient and strong. During a crisis, we support each other and work together to bring back normality to communities. These tragic incidents have also been marked by acts of courage and kindness that make us proud to be called South Africans,” said GCIS Acting Director-General Phumla Williams.
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The rescue work by emergency services continues, and displaced communities in KZN will be temporarily accommodated in community halls where they will receive emergency relief assistance. In the affected town of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, developing disaster situations may be directed through the Port St Johns Disaster Satellite Centre on 073 596 8082.
Disaster management teams stand ready to assist the affected communities and government urges the public to remain alert as heavy rains are expected to continue.
In the event of an emergency, members of the public should call the emergency management services on 10177.
Weather SA has urged the public to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information can also be found at www.weathersa.co.za
KZN COGTA and eThekwini Municipality held a media briefing earlier today on the impact of extreme weather in KZN.
“KZN has experienced heavy rainfall since the start of the Easter weekend when the extreme weather contributed to the now notorious collapse of Pentecostal Holiness Church near Empangeni, an incident that has claimed 13 lives and several more injuries.
Last night the weather conditions worsened significantly across KZN and the heavy rain culminated in various parts of the province, claiming at least 21 lives and 32 patients in and around Durban. Over 2000 emergency calls were logged last night .
Massive damage has been inflicted on public and private infrastructure. From where we stand, we have reports of collapsed walls and mudslides as well as roads that have been flooded. Parts of the province are also experiencing power failures as a result of the extreme weather.
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The Provincial Government of KZN, together with eThekwini Metro and all affected municipalities, are currently mounting a spirited response as part of efforts to alleviate the impact of these extreme weather conditions on communities and business and to bring the lives of the people affected back to normality.
We have since the early hours of today been responding to last night’s incessant rain that has wreaked untold damage on our communities and to devise a way forward in our joint efforts as local and provincial government to begin with relief and response operations.
Our purpose here today is also to assure the communities that our government is on top of its game in our endeavour to minimise the impact of this storm on our residents and businesses.
We have now sourced additional capacity from uMsunduzi Municipality and iLembe District. Most deaths are from Chatsworth, uMlazi, New Germany where two kids below seven years got killed.
The weather is not going to be abating soon, as the weather centre is reporting that we will receive 60% of rain today and gale force winds will be coming from the Southern part of KZN.
We will be moving to the ground to conduct assessments. Some rivers have broken their banks and we urge people to be extra cautious. We are also issuing warnings for the Northern parts of KZN including King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
The extent of damage to infrastructure includes flooded and blocked roads, collapsed buildings and perimeter walls, blocked stormwater drains and sewer lines, flooded buildings and households and power outages as a result of electric cable damage.
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Displaced communities will be temporarily accommodated in community halls where they will receive emergency relief assistance.
At this stage the focus remains on recovery and the provision of relief efforts while assessments of damages are underway. We will only know the figures when these assessments have been completed. Damages are however estimated to run into millions of rand.
We are appealing to employers for understanding if their employees are late for work or if they do not come in at all due to the critical situation on the provincial road network. After so many accidents, some with casualties, have been reported, the department believes it is better to be safe now than sorry later.
At the same time, we would like to assure the general public that our disaster management teams are working round the clock to attend to all reported incidents. Where help is needed, it is already on its way or will be very soon. We are overwhelmed but our presence throughout KZN ensures that we will be able to assist everywhere we are called.
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