A POPULAR and much loved reserve and hiking site, the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, has once again suffered significant damage due to last night’s heavy rain and is closed until further notice.

The damage included the reserve’s main entrance and parking area on Kloof Falls Road.

“For the safety of our visitors, the Reserve will be closed until further notice while our team assesses the extent of the damage to trails and facilities,” said the reserve’s honorary officers in a Facebook post.

With the rain continuing to pour heavily, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has initiated comprehensive mop-up operations across the province, particularly within the eThekwini Metro, following the severe weather conditions experienced yesterday, Thursday, March 13.

Also read: Kloof SPCA office closed after heavy rains

The intense downpour resulted in the loss of one life, where a woman died after her vehicle was swept off the Heaton Nicholls Bridge.

MEC for Cogta, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has extended his condolences to the bereaved family. Search and Rescue teams successfully recovered both the vehicle and the deceased’s body in the early hours of this morning.

The heavy rain wreaked havoc across coastal regions, leading to widespread flooding, uprooted trees, and significant disruptions to electricity supply in numerous communities.

“Technical teams are working diligently to restore power to affected areas. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is actively co-ordinating with all municipalities to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the heavy rains.

“Preliminary reports indicate substantial impact on road infrastructure and disruptions to service delivery,” said the MEC.

He issued a strong appeal to residents to remain vigilant, as a Level 6 weather warning remains in effect for the eThekwini Metro, and parts of the Ugu, iLembe, and uMgungundlovu Districts.

Also read: Classic motorcyclists brave flooding for rally

“A Level 4 warning is also still active for the remaining areas of the province. We urge all residents to heed the weather warnings and exercise extreme caution. These conditions pose a significant risk to human life and livestock,” stressed Buthelezi.

He added that the Disaster Management teams will continue to monitor all major routes and areas prone to disaster-related incidents, ensuring a swift and effective response to any further emergencies.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here