Informal settlements, waste management impacting eThekwini disaster response - expert
A town planning expert says eThekwini's disaster
preparedness and response are being hampered by two issues.
Dr Hope Hangwelani has been commenting on the severe storms in KZN this week that claimed the lives of at least 59 people, destroyed property and flooded roads, bridges and homes.
She says the main concern is waste management and eThekwini's informal settlements.
"What happens, is when we have heavy rainfall, all this rain ends up in the drainage system and creates a block and the result of that, we fond that we are having the problems we have.
"Among other things the city has the issue of waste management, especially in informal settlements and other areas where there is a lot of people.
READ: Transnet suspends shipping at Durban terminals amid deadly floods
Emergency services have been kept busy in the province, responding to communities affected by the floods, mudslides and structural collapses.
Henre Benson, who runs an education NGO in Pinetown, says staff members were evacuated after they noticed a river swelling.
"The road's accessible, we just saw footage and photographs of the offices and neighbouring building which collapsed."
