KZN floods april 2022

Years of underspending on repairs and maintenance of city infrastructure, blocked stormwater systems and exceptional levels of plastic pollution further ...

“Access roads around the port have been damaged, container yards, truck depots and trucks themselves have been flooded and damaged and the area is really a disaster at the moment. It is unclear when the port – the gateway to southern Africa – will return to full service. The association has advised members to delay any departures towards Durban, and to find depots and safe parking areas along the way,” said Kelly, adding that there were “no foreseeable shortages” in foodstuffs and fuel. Police told Daily Maverick, however, that no charges related to looting had yet been laid. This affected water pump stations and thereby water reticulation. The Port of Durban was forced to suspend all activity in the port on Monday evening as access roads and railway lines in and out of the port were damaged.

People in KwaZulu-Natal have to cope with heavy rain and flooding in the province.

"During the night and into this morning rescue teams have been and are continuing to assist in flood-related incidents involving local citizens, domestic and farm animals and wildlife. The entire city is flooded, and we cannot get to everything," one said. Her spokesperson Mlungisi Mtshali said in the mean time, she is in touch with local authorities about the situation." eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is briefing the media on flooding in Durban, caused by heavy rains over the last few days. Kaunda apologised to residents who had been left without help while "in need". Kaunda said that some cemeteries have been flooded and municipal staff had been dispatched to assess the damage. Four persons were lifted from the area and removed to safety," he said. It is one of the basic mandates of government to monitor weather services and the possible impact such can have on people. It has now become a yearly reality, that as South Africa enters the winter period, the people of Kwa-Zulu Natal are subjected to a tragic but predictable natural disaster in the form of floods. "This as torrential rains continue to cause wide-spread destruction and loss of life. "We are trying to access areas but most roads are closed," said Bilaal Jeewa from Gift of the Givers. Earlier, mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said they are working with NGOs to provide food and blankets for people seeking shelter at community halls across the city. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Hlomuka said he received a briefing from provincial disaster management structures in taking stock of the damage.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday in the wake of the devastating floods that have so far claimed at least 253 lives and displaced ...

He said that he had to travel to the province to see for himself the gravity of the situation. Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the dire situation in KwaZulu-Natal was the worst that the province had ever experienced. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday in the wake of the devastating floods that have so far claimed at least 253 lives and displaced countless residents, while laying waste to roads and bridges.

President Cyril Ramaphosa blames 'catastrophic' rainfall in KwaZulu-Natal on climate crisis.

The rains flooded highways to such depths that only the tops of traffic lights poked out, resembling submarine periscopes. When storms reached the warmer and more humid climate in Durban’s KZN province, even more rain poured down. “By the evening of 13 April, we have been informed that the death toll from the floods disaster in KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) province has risen to 306 people,” Nonala Ndlovu, spokeswoman for the provincial disaster management department, said. It is here, and our disaster management capability needs to be at a higher level.” Four children from a local family died when a wall collapsed on them. We no longer can postpone what we need to do … to deal with climate change.

As the rain eased on Wednesday morning after nearly five day of unrelenting torrential downpours, a true picture of the devastation began emerging.

"Undoubtedly billions of rand worth of damage has been caused to homes, places of work, roads, bridges, electricity and water supply, and other critical government infrastructure. Some substations will need to be rebuilt and this may cause extended delays. "Crews will be working in shifts until the high-voltage supplies are restored.