KZN floods 2.0: Dlamini-Zuma convenes disaster management commitee as rain pours

With a Level 10 weather warning out for KwaZulu-Natal, the province is once again being hit by flooding. The particularly sad part, thousands of residents have never recovered from the devastation of the brutal floods that hit KZN in April. As the rains continue into Sunday, national government says it’s stepping in early this time to deal with the KZN floods.

KZN floods 2.0 – Dlamini-Zuma steps in

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala has confirmed that over 190 people have already been evacuated over the weekend. Zikalala has also warned that those in the Southern parts of Durban (uMlazi, Wentworth, Isipingo, Amanzimtoti and Westbrook) need to be particularly vigilant.

Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management, have met to discuss the ongoing storm in KZN.

With the rains only expected to dissipate on Monday, the committee says an already dire situation is only being made worse. The ground in many areas is still saturated, and can easily be flooded as a result.

“Government through the departments such as Social Development, Defence Force, South African Police Service, and other social partners are working with disaster management teams across the province to monitor the high risk areas, determine the extent and level of risk, evaluate damages where they exist and provide immediate relief to needy communities.”

The committee says it will continue to work to identify those at risk, so they can be evacuated to safety.

COGTA says “additional shelters” are also currently being sourced.

KZN Emergency contact numbers

• KZN Emergency Medical Service – 10177
• eThekkwini Fire and Emergency Services – 031 361 0000
• St. Johns Ambulance – 031 305 6588
• Netcare – 082 911
• Fire and Disaster Management – 031 361 000
• Stormwater, Burst Mains, Water Pollution, and sewer faults – 080 131 3013
• Mountain Rescue – 080 000 5133
• Sea Rescue – 031 361 8667
• Nettow – 083 700 6854

GAUTENG WEATHER WARNING ISSUED

While KwaZulu-Natal is again being battered by heavy rains this weekend, other provinces around the country are facing tricky conditions too. The South African Weather Service has issued a new Gauteng Weather warning for Sunday. It’s not as severe as a few months ago, but it’s enough to do some damage to property.

The Sunday warning is valid from 11AM until 6PM.

The storm over Gauteng is set to have several impacts on residents and motorists too.

The SAWS warns of the following as a result of the downpours.

• Localised flooding of susceptible roads and low lying bridges
• Difficult driving conditions due to pooling of water on roads
• Damage to structures due to large amounts of hail
• Injuries due to flying debris as a result of strong winds.