KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), still reeling from last week’s devastating rains, faced yet another blow this past weekend as relentless downpours hammered the region, exacerbating an already dire situation. The latest storm caused widespread destruction across eThekwini and surrounding areas, leaving more families displaced and property damaged.
Though no new fatalities have been officially reported, the floods have left many more homeless. Businesses in affected areas were unable to operate as roads became impassable and infrastructure crumbled under the pressure of the torrential rain.
One of the most striking consequences of the storm was the severe erosion around Wentworth Hospital, where even tombstones on graves were swept away after a stormwater pipe burst, releasing a powerful surge of water. This further added to the distress of an already grieving community.
As the search for missing persons from the previous week continued, many families, like the Ndlela family from Chatsworth, remained hopeful despite the grim circumstances. Musa Ndlela spoke heart-wrenchingly of his missing sisters, Ncami and Mbali, aged 23 and 36, who disappeared after the first wave of rains. He shared, “We just want to find the bodies of our loved ones and bury them with dignity.”
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) had originally issued a level 2 warning, which was quickly escalated to a level 5 alert as the storm intensified. Widespread showers and thundershowers struck the western parts of KZN, with areas like Lamontville, Durban South, and Isipingo suffering the most.
The SAWS warned that the persistent rain would lead to further flooding, particularly in already vulnerable regions affected by previous rains. With more heavy rain expected, these areas were left vulnerable to significant impacts.
Emergency services and disaster management teams in eThekwini have remained on high alert, continuing to respond to the ongoing crisis. The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that 3,676 families had been relocated due to last week’s floods, with 2,224 housing units completely demolished. A staggering 7,916 families from 42 transit camps were still awaiting relocation to temporary shelters.
The city issued a stern warning to motorists as many roads, including Tara Road and Blundell Road Bridge, were rendered impassable due to flooding. Key areas like Isipingo Beach, Dakota informal settlement, and Isipingo Rails were particularly affected by the storms.
Despite the devastation, local authorities, non-profit organizations, and community groups have rallied together to provide aid. Organizations such as the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Gift of the Givers, Red Cross, and Toyota South Africa have worked tirelessly to deliver food, shelter, and supplies to those in need.
As the stormy weather began to subside, the eThekwini Municipality expressed its commitment to rebuilding and assisting flood victims. The latest weather update from the SAWS predicted clear skies for today, offering a glimmer of hope to a region battered by the elements.
The road to recovery will be long, but with continued support from the community and government, KZN is determined to rebuild.
