K9 Units from Empangeni and other regions, supported by local South African Police Service officers, Disaster Management teams and community volunteers, continue to search the river banks and surrounding areas for the woman who was swept away on Saturday evening.

Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni’s Disaster Manager, said the 35-year-old woman slipped into an open manhole during the fierce storm that lashed the area, triggering widespread flooding.

The search continued until after midnight on Saturday and resumed at first light on Sunday.

Ntombela confirmed that every possible resource – including the use of a drone – is being deployed to scour the Steenkoolspruit and surrounding terrain, into which Dundee’s storm-water system flows.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid flooded areas and allow emergency teams space to work as the search enters its critical stages.

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