Four people, including two children, have died in the south of Durban, which has been hit hard by landslides, localised flooding and environmental hazards.

According to an article published by Southlands Sun, Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesman, says the bodies of two women, one at Ansteys Beach and another body at Brighton Beach, were recovered at around 07:45 today.

Two more bodies then washed up on Cuttings Beach.

“We have recovered the bodies of two children, a little girl and a little boy,” says Jamieson.

He adds that five people are thought to have been swept into Merebank canals during the floods, and the eThekwini fire department, metro police search and rescue and Wentworth police are investigating.

Landslides

Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon reported a serious landslide along Foreshore Drive at around 04:00 this morning.

This third bout of rain also brought down the banks between Marine Drive and Foreshore Drive, completely blocking Foreshore Drive.

“The business of Lords and Legends is affected every time, and last night four patrons were unable to leave the area and are still there,” says Solomon.

She adds that disaster management, the building inspectorate and the environmental departments were called out and were at the scene.

The eThekwini Municipality has replaced some of the infrastructure that was impacted by the landslide, she says.

Environmental hazards

Residents have also reported a pungent smell of fuel in Merebank and surrounding areas, which has raised environmental contamination concerns.

Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman, who confirmed that the issue has already been reported to the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), says the smell is likely caused by an overflowing fuel sump mixed with rainwater.

However, SDCEA will be conducting further investigations to identify the extent of the issue and any potential danger.

Emergency services, including disaster management teams, firefighting services and SAPS are fully engaged in rescue and recovery missions all over Durban South.

With the South African Weather Service having issued a warning that rain is expected to continue into tonight, motorists are advised to be cautious. Many roads are still blocked and flooded.

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