The Al-Imdaad Foundation has been responding to victims of the flash flooding that affected the greater Durban areas due to intensive rainfall between May 6 and 8. The flooding saw some 206ml of rainfall, more than the usual average for the whole month of May, received in just three days. According to weather authorities, large volumes of rain were the result of a ridging high pressure cell.

Due to the rains and associated flash flooding, six people lost their lives, including a one-year-old infant from uMlazi who was crushed underneath a collapsed brick wall. Another five-year-old child from the Bottlebrush area in Chatsworth also lost his life after falling into a swelling river near his home.

According to information given out at a meeting, Disaster Management Authorities had identified the worst affected areas as Isipingo, uMlazi, Chatsworth and Cato Crest with a total of 30 wards affected in all.

Displaced people from affected areas were accommodated at Lotus Park Hall, uMlazi Halls in sections V and W, Amoati Hall, Isipingo Beach Hall, Inanda Hall, and St Wendolins Hall in Pinetown. According to Al-Imdaad Foundation local projects co-ordinator Abed Karrim, on Monday, May 9: “Al-Imdaad Foundation contributed 100 mattresses to displaced communities following a request from Disaster Management Authorities.”

He also said that: “A further 150 blankets and mattresses were distributed at Lotus Valley Hall, uMlazi V Hall and Lamontville Hall” on Tuesday, May 10.”

On Wednesday May 11, the Al-Imdaad Foundation joined eThekwini Mayor, Mr James Nxumalo to visit families who were badly affected by the floods including the family of the deceased five-year-old in Bottlebrush settlement in Chatsworth. The Al-Imdaad Foundation distributed food hampers and blankets to the affected families.

Mohammed Mehter from Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Durban office said: “We will be distributing cooked food to over 200 displaced individuals for three days”.

He explained: “The first feeding had taken place on the evening Wednesday, May 11 ” and that “the feeding was taking place in displacement centres in six badly affected wards surrounding Durban”.

The foundation says that it will continue to monitor the situation in close co-ordination with Disaster Management officials and will be on standby for any further required assistance.