The situation at South Africa is not too good as catastrophic floods have hit. These floods have caused many deaths, landslides and property damage. The most affected parts are the Durban city and the Kwa Zulu-Natal province where at least 60 people have lost their lives. Property of unknown value has also been destroyed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa reported that more than 1,000 people have been left homeless, when he visited the victims. He had to leave the African Union’s meeting underway, after learning the situation in his country. Worse is expected as the Weather Service claims that 50% chances are that more rains should be expected.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the citizens to embrace unity and support for each other during this time of need. He said this as he laid a wreath for seven people, whose lives were claimed by the disastrous floods, reports the BBC’s reporter Nomsa Maseko.
It is sad seeing families lose their loved one’s in just a matter of minutes. Thamsanqa Dlamini narrates how he lost his entire family to a mudslide that hit their home.
” I heard my children screaming, ” he said. “I tried to rush to help them, but the strong water currents forcefully pushed me into another room, and I was under the collapsed wall. “I remember hearing the screams of the children, neighbors tried to get us out, but we couldn’t save the children.”
In this regard, provincial minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube confirmed to SAFm radio that the damage is being assessed and necessary measures taken.
The rescue team is looking for survivors who may have been trapped in buildings. Similarly, they are attending to the injured victims in order to provide them with shelter and food. They are as well, offering them humanitarian support to recover from the shock.
These floods have hit hard the coastal province of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa’s southeast. As a result, 51 people have succumbed to death. The KwaZulu Natal Health department says they are conducting post-mortems on the bodies. They are pleading with the masses to visit the government mortuaries to identify bodies of their loved ones.
It’s alarming how the heavy rains that just started on Monday caused so much havoc. Roads have been damaged trees uprooted and firm buildings demolished in a spur of time. The disaster Management team is trying their best to evacuate victims misplaced by the torrential rains.
“Other badly affected areas are Amanzimtoti, Chatsworth, Mariannhill, “said government spokesperson Lennox Mabaso. He also said that they are providing support to those most affected by means of counseling. They are also helping them look out for the remains of their loved ones in mortuaries.
There has never been such a disaster in South Africa. This follows a raging storm that hit a church in KwaZulu Natal leaving 3 people dead.
The government has assured to give monetary support to all the affected. The President said that the budget caters for such emergency situations. Therefore, they will do their best to safeguard all the remnants of the floods. They will ensure the displaced have homes and food before they resume their normal lives.
