eThekwini is grappling with the aftermath of devastating inclement weather between February 19 and March 2, which is set to cost the city over R1b in repairs to flood-damaged municipal infrastructure.

Berea Mail reports that at a press briefing on Sunday at Durban City Hall, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba said the municipality is still assessing the damage caused by the floods in mid-March. He confirmed that the number of lives lost between February 19 and March 15 is sitting at 16.

“As the leadership of the city, we would like to convey our condolences to the families of the deceased. We have been working closely with the bereaved families to ensure that their loved ones receive a dignified burial,” said Xaba.

He said the floods caused extensive damage to private properties, affecting around 1 452 houses and nearly 6 000 people.

Among the private properties affected by the recent severe weather was Morningside Primary School, which saw its netball court covered in mud after heavy rains uprooted trees and caused the sandbank, the netball court fence and the entire structure to collapse.

Some parts of Ward 33 were also flooded after stormwater drains failed to divert access water, resulting in flooded streets and buildings.

“As you know, each time these flood disasters occur, they destroy our critical infrastructure, which results in the interruption of the provision of basic services. The total cost for infrastructure damages arising from the floods from February 19 to March 2 are estimated at R1.5b,” said Xaba.

He provided a detailed breakdown of the costs:

• Roads and stormwater: R35.6m
• Roads provision: R281.7m
• Coastal and stormwater catchment: R307.7m
• Sanitation: R330m
• Human Settlements: R354m
• Water operations: R6m

“We welcome the declaration of the state of disaster in the province by national government.

“We are hopeful that a substantial amount of the disaster grant funding will be allocated to eThekwini, considering the extensive losses we have suffered,” said Xaba.

“The damages caused by the March 15 floods are still being quantified… We will share them with the public as soon as they become available.”

Last week, eThekwini announced that the municipality has allocated about R10b to rebuild its water, electricity and solid waste management infrastructure.

This came after the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced a R3.33b grant allocation to eThekwini for trading services reforms over the next three years.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.