Local news
UPDATE: Massive damage to Margate as teams mop up after flash flood
South African Weather Services (SAWS) has warned there could be more heavy downpours.
Huge damage has been caused to water and roads infrastructure in and around Margate.
An onsite assessment of the damages was done by government officials earlier today.
Ugu Major Cllr Skhumbuzo Mqadi led the delegation of multi-disciplinary teams of technocrats to visit the areas affected by the heavy downpour last night.
France Zama, spokesman of Ugu District Municipality, said a coordinated clean-up operation is in progress, while cost implications of the damages caused are still being consolidated.
Three people have been confirmed dead as a result of the deluge.
Members from Med~Evac joined the search for the vehicle that washed away off the low-level bridge near Fiddlewood farm in Margate during the flood.
“It was located this morning, about 5km away near the highway, with three occupants still inside the vehicle,” said Glen Preston of Med-Evac.
Volunteers from Tidy Towns Shelly Beach to Margate have also began mopping up operations.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is warning the public of level 5 disruptive rains expected in eThekwini Metro, down to the South Coast on Monday which could result in more localised flooding.
According to the warning from the South African Weather Services (SAWS), heavy downpours may result in some areas receiving rainfall accumulation of more than 200mm over a 24 hour period, which may lead to more localised flooding today.
Areas that are likely to be affected includes eThekwini Metro, Umdoni, Umzumbe and Ray Nkonyeni municipalities.
Cogta spokesman, Siboniso Mngadi, said disaster teams have noted the flood damages occurred in Margate town last night that was caused by the severe thunderstorms.
Businesses and public Infrastructure such as roads and houses have been severely damaged.
The public is advised to take precautionary measures by moving to safer places and avoid travelling to mitigate risk.
These thunderstorms may cause localised damage to settlements, vehicles, livelihood, livestock and power surges due to excessive lightning.
The public is also warned of localised injuries and danger to life due to lightning.
Motorists are strongly advised to avoid travelling during this period, as bridges may become flooded, posing a risk to life.
