Heavy rains batter parts of KZN, hundreds evacuated
KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has warned residents to be vigilant as heavy rains continue to fall in some parts of the province.
She says the heavy rains could lead to flooding and cause severe damage to bridges, roads and other infrastructure.
Dube-Ncube has also urged motorists to take all necessary precautions to remain safe on the roads.
“We appeal to our communities not to risk their lives but to stay indoors and not to risk travelling to festivals or public engagements because of the extreme weather conditions in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. We have teams on the ground who are on 24-hour standby and our Road Traffic Inspectorate are diverting traffic in areas where roads and bridges have been flooded, especially in low-lying areas.”
The provincial government has since dispatched disaster management teams and Provincial Road Traffic Inspectorates in all affected areas including around eMfihlweni Royal Residence in Manguzi, in uMkhanyakude District.
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Dube-Ncube says some roads had to be closed due to poor visibility.
"So far no serious car crashes resulting in multiple fatalities on our roads have been reported on major roads such as the N2 and N3, as a result of the heavy downpour. However, we appeal to road users and pedestrians to continue to put safety as a priority in everything they do. We are still a province that is rising from the devastating floods of April 2022 and the scars still remain visible. Let us act responsibly in these conditions to avoid any loss of life."
Meanwhile the Cooperative Governance Department says disaster management teams were able to successfully evacuate over 100 people who were trapped in flooded areas in Newcastle and Mhlathuze.
"A level 9 weather warning has been issued for areas under the Mkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo, and Ilembe districts for this evening.
Similarly, a level 5 warning for disruptive rain has been issued for Ethekwini, parts of Zululand, and Amajuba," they said in a statement.
