At least 70 evacuated in flood-hit Ladysmith
Residents
of parts of flood-hit Ladysmith and Msinga are being evacuated following this
weekend’s heavy rains.
The downpours over the weekend caused the local rivers to burst their banks.
The Department of Cooperative Governance Department in KwaZulu-Natal says so far 70 people have been evacuated in Ladysmith and moved to a sports hall.
Departmental spokesperson Senzo Mzila says disaster management teams are working with NGOs to provide immediate relief including hot meals and blankets.
“The town of Ladysmith received significant rainfall over the weekend which led to the Kliprivier bursting its banks and flooding parts of the CBD."
Hlomuka has commended the quick response by the disaster management teams and social partners in responding to this incident. So far there has been no report of loss of life or injury as a result of this incident.”
In the town of Msinga, heavy rains have caused the uThukela River to burst its banks and flood surrounding areas.
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Last week, the provincial government said it would ask the national government to declare a state of disaster in KZN due to the storms.
It says over R3.3 billion will be needed to fix the damage caused by the inclement weather in recent weeks.
The government says so far 25 people have died in incidents related to the weather.
One person is still missing.
