KZN communities assessing damage of devastating storms
Updated | By Shaun Ryan
Communities, households and families are beginning to take stock after parts of KwaZulu-Natal - including Durban - were lashed by heavy downpours and severe storms on Monday night.
Dozens of people were killed in the flooding - with houses caving in, roads being washed away and mudslides flattening other buildings.
It was a long day for emergency services and rescuers, with hundreds of people requiring assistance across the province.
Areas south of Durban were again among the hardest hit with some houses in Chatsworth, Amanzimtoti and Umlazi collapsing as a result of the severe weather conditions.
ALSO READ: KZN flood toll rises to 51
In some instances, the ground on which homes were built became waterlogged and could not handle the rain anymore. It gave way - swallowing entire roads, homes and other structures. An entire stretch of Rockview Road in Toti collapsed - taking walls, buildings and vehicles with it. Similar scenes played out across the metro.
The weather service says the rain is likely to continue until at least Thursday. Authorities are urging communities to take any official warnings seriously.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KZN says more than 2000 emergency calls were logged on Monday night into the early hours of yesterday morning. COGTA says displaced communities will be housed in local halls where they will receive emergency relief assistance.
READ: Medics say KwaNdengezi residents should still be on alert
Disaster management officials are also carrying out assessments to determine the full extent of the damage from the storm.
MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube says officials will return on the ground today to assist those affected.
Missed the latest Newswatch? Find more on this and other developing stories below.
Show's Stories
-
Claudette Sigamoney: a KZN visionary entrepreneur
"Being the vice president of the Chamber has given me more exposure than...
Carol Ofori 3 hours ago -
Interracial couple share the differences in their beach days
Even as a rainbow nation, we all have different ways of doing things but...
Carol Ofori 3 hours ago