Umdloti in KwaZulu-Natal is pockmarked with landslides and canyons filled with the debris of once beautiful homes, almost resembling a war zone where bombs ripped through the town.

With buildings constructed on steep hills, Umdloti has been among the hardest hit communities on the North Coast during this week’s flooding.

At least 10 homes or apartments have been lost in landslides, with many more losing foundations and now unstable.

“We had floods in 2016, so we knew our house was in a drainage path, but it was never like this. Once the road started filling with mud and our sandbags became ineffective, we knew something bad was coming,” said a Bellamont Road resident who asked not to be named.

Fearing the worst they contacted authorities, who by that stage were already overwhelmed.

The family decided to remove as many possessions as possible and evacuate, but both family cars and all the furniture remain in a muddy mausoleum.

An Isikhulu trustee and homeowner said he was furious.

On Monday the order was given to evacuate Isikhulu after the basement level that housed cars completely filled with mud.

“Six of Isikhulu’s apartments were washed away by this morning after rains continued overnight,” said the trustee.

Overnight on Monday, 2 apartments were ripped from the main tower block, crashing down past the Cozumel complex below, blocking North Coast road.

Further south, a river of mud and sludge trailed down Umdloti’s entry road, careening into the town’s main circle and causing a massive sinkhole.

At the time of going to print on Tuesday, rain had not ceased completely and residents were concerned that more landslides may occur overnight, leaving the normally sleepy town on high alert.