DURBAN - AT LEAST two people were killed and three people are missing as heavy rains left a trail of destruction across KwaZulu-Natal.
Several areas, including eManzimtoti, were flooded due to the torrential rain on Sunday and yesterday.
The eThekwini Municipality said two people had died – one in KwaMashu’s ward 47, and the other in uMlazi’s ward 87.
Robert Mckenzie, KZN Emergency Medical Services’ spokesperson, said a 22-year-old man was killed after a wall fell on him in KwaMashu yesterday.
Paul Herbst, a spokesperson for Medi Response paramedics, said that a landslide had occurred in uMlazi on Sunday, engulfing an informal dwelling, and the occupant was killed.
In KwaDukuza yesterday, a woman was washed off a low-level bridge as she tried to cross the Nonoti River. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Dylan Meyrick said members of the Search and Rescue Unit were dispatched to the scene, but had been unable to search the river due to the flooding.
Authorities also said that two people were missing after their car was swept away in Molweni.
Andre Beetge, a ward councillor in ward 97 in eManzimtoti, said that the heavy rains had caused the Illovo and Winklespruit Rivers to burst their banks.
“The eManzimtoti CBD was flooded as rain came down in buckets. Barrier walls have collapsed, and some rural houses have also collapsed.”
Beetge added that an embankment collapsed at Longacres Drive, Kingsburgh, near a block of flats.
“Large parts of eManzimtoti are without power due to wet weather, but unfortunately there isn’t anything that can be done as workers can’t work in the heavy rain.
“The sewage pump station in Riverside Road has also been affected. It is too early to even assess the damage.”
Andreas Mathios from Marshall Security said their emergency dispatch centre had received reports of mass mudslides in and around the eMdloti area.
“We went to investigate and found that a mudslide from a nearby construction site had washed across Belmont Road and caused damage to the residential premises in the area. A motorist who was travelling on Belmont Road was caught by the surprise mudslide, which suddenly came out of nowhere. She said that she had to climb out of the window, together with her child and domestic worker. The resident then notified her husband, and first responders arrived on scene a short while later to assist. Even a 4x4 vehicle was unable to get the vehicle out.”
Mark Gounder, an Isipingo community activist, said the damage had been vast in the area.
“Most damage to Lotus Park appears to be in the Pelican Drive, Isipingo, area. This has been caused by the longterm issue of an overflowing reservoir, which has resulted in loose sand. The heavy rainfall has now led to the walls and embankments caving in, causing damage to numerous properties.”
The eThekwini Municipality said yesterday afternoon that its Disaster Management Unit was on high alert as the heavy rains had resulted in the flooding of some roads, and rising water levels.
“The water level in the river between Mega City in uMlazi and Lamontville is rising, and communities along this river are cautioned to relocate to a safer place. Rivers in Amaoti and Quarry Heights are also overflowing, and residents are advised to move to alternative accommodation.”
Stapleton Road in Pinetown had also been flooded, and motorists were encouraged to avoid it. The uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct said that the M4 northbound from Sibaya Drive to the M27 offramp to eMdloti had been closed in both directions due a mudslide.
Regarding the eManzimtoti flooding, the city said its Roads and Stormwater teams were in the area unblocking drains to minimise flooding.
The city said the heavy rain had also affected infrastructure, with several areas experiencing power outages.
KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka said that mudslides had been reported in KwaDukuza, while there had also been flooding in the Ladysmith CBD, and road damage on the South Coast. “Road diversions are being implemented where possible. Local disaster management teams continue to monitor high-risk areas across the province. Residents who experience any incidents can contact their respective ward councillor or local municipality.”
Meanwhile, Umgeni Water said it had taken a decision to release water from the Hazelmere Dam in the north of Durban as torrential rains had pushed the level of the dam beyond 65%.
The utility said the water level in the dam posed a risk to the wall extension that was under construction.
“The first release will begin on Tuesday, April 12 (today), and will continue until 53% is reached.”
Umgeni Water said communities living close to or on the banks of the Umdloti River should be aware that once the water was released, the level of the river would rise rapidly.