FOLLOWING last night’s (February 25) heavy rains, the South of Durban has been hit hard by landslides, localised flooding and environmental hazards which have seen bodies washing up onto beaches. The South African Weather Service has issued a warning that rains are expected to continue into the evening (February 26).

Also read: [Video] Heavy rains expected to continue

Landslides

Around 04:00, ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon reported a serious landslide along Foreshore Drive. This third set of rains 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,” said Solomon. 

Solomon said that the disaster management, building inspectorate, and the environmental department had been called out and were at the scene. She added that eThekwini Municipality had come through and replaced some of the infrastructure that had been impacted by the landslide.

Four bodies washed up on beaches

Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesman, reported more devastating news emanating from the same area. Jamieson said that they recovered the bodies of two women, one at Ansteys Beach and another body at Brighton Beach, around 07:45. He added that an additional two bodies washed up on Cuttings Beach.

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

Jamieson said they believed that five individuals are thought to have been swept into Merebank canals during the floods. He added that the eThekwini fire department, metro police search and rescue and Wentworth police are all in attendance and will be investigating further.

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 confirmed that the issue has already been reported to the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA). Snyman said the smell is likely caused by an overflowing fuel sump mixed with the rainwater.

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

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

All motorists are advised to express extreme caution when on the roads as many roads are still flooded, blocked and wet.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.