SOUTH Africa is reeling from a week of unprecedented torrential rainfall and severe weather conditions that have plunged several provinces into chaos.
The week-long devastation resulted in the tragic loss of life due to mudslides, collapsed houses, and rising floodwaters, with six confirmed fatalities in KwaZulu-Natal, two in the Eastern Cape, and one in North West, while many others have been reported missing.
The most harrowing incidents were witnessed in the eThekwini Municipality, where emergency responders were called to action on February 19, after heavy rains caused walls to collapse in the south of Durban.
This resulted several fatalities, including a 45-year-old man and three young people, a 13-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, and another 13-year-old girl, who were trapped in their homes as strong winds and rain lashed the area.
The municipality reveals that emergency response teams, comprising the City’s Disaster Management and Fire Department, along with the South African Police Service and Emergency Medical Services, have been to rescue those trapped under the rubble.
“At this point, most of the impacts have been related to flooding, especially in the southern parts of the city. Affected areas include Amanzimtoti, Morton, Clairwood, and Isiphingo, the municipality stated, highlighting the continued risk of entrapments amidst the chaotic weather," the municipality reveals.
As the week progressed, officials also reported that parts of Durban in the southern region were particularly affected, with flash floods inundating streets and severely impacting business operations in many areas.
“Canals are currently at full capacity, posing a risk for flooding in residential areas near Isiphingo and Prospecton,” authorities warned, advising motorists to adhere to traffic announcements and seek alternative routes.
Today, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Sboniso Duma, alongside eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, visited families impacted by the devastating floods.
During their visit, Duma and Xaba expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, acknowledging the loss of lives that has struck the community.
“At the same time, we are implementing practical measures, including allocating resources to build climate-resilient infrastructure,’’ said Xaba.
While it is reported that 98 families have been affected, the municipality says that emergency teams have been distributing blankets, mattresses, and food hampers as many begin the daunting process of rebuilding their lives.
The flooding has also led to significant disruptions in educational services across the North West province, with many students unable to attend school due to impassable routes and damaged structures.
In Pretoria’s Montana North, the storm had its own devastating impact on local residents after a tornado struck on February 18, resulting in extensive damage to residential complexes.
The damage included severely impacted upper floors and roofs, leaving residents grappling with the clean-up efforts following the storm's devastating winds.
According to spokesperson, Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, the incident was initially logged as flooding at approximately 6pm, triggering an immediate deployment of various firefighting resources from three fire stations: Innesdale, Wonderboom, and Rosslyn.
“Upon arrival, the firefighters found out that there was significant damage caused by the storm, which uprooted some trees and blew away the corrugated iron roof sheets of the buildings, carports, and other structures in the area along the Sefako Makgatho Drive. The residential complex on Veda Street near Enkeldoorn Street was badly affected as several of the buildings within the complex suffered major damage, especially on the upper floors and the roofs, as external geysers and corrugated iron roof sheets were brought to the ground by the strong wind, leaving the structures of the units exposed to the falling rain.’’
In the midst of this climate-induced chaos, relief operations have been initiated by various organisations.
Ali Sablay, project manager and spokesperson for Gift of the Givers, reflected on the overwhelming demand for aid.
“What a week of disaster it has been. The Gift of the Givers teams had been deployed all over the country. On one side of the country, in the Eastern Cape province, there is severe drought happening and water challenges in many communities. From the 21st of January to date, our teams have delivered 2 million litres of water in the Komani area.”
“Many homes are flooded, close to 130 families have been displaced, and Gift of the Givers is busy with interventions in community halls. And we have a team in the area of Hamskraal as well. We have over 300 homes that have been affected, so it has been a busy week for our team.”
The South African Weather Service has issued urgent warnings that further scattered showers and thundershowers are anticipated, especially over the southern and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with threats of severe thunderstorms expected to bring about damaging winds, hail, and localised impacts.
Saturday Star