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Media briefing on the impact of extreme weather in KZN by KZN Cogta and Ethekwini Municipality

Media

KZN has experienced heavy rainfall since the start of the Easter weekend when the extreme weather contributed to the now notorious collapse of Pentecostal Holiness Church near Empangeni, an incident that has claimed 13 lives and several more injuries.

Last night the weather conditions worsened significantly across KZN and the heavy rain culminated in various parts of the province, claiming at least 21 lives and 32 patients in and around Durban. Over 2000 emergency calls were logged last night .

Massive damage has been inflicted on public and private infrastructure. From where we stand, we have reports of collapsed walls and mudslides as well as roads that have been flooded. Parts of the province are also experiencing power failures as a result of the extreme weather.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

The Provincial Government of KZN, together with Ethekwini Metro and all affected municipalities, are currently mounting a spirited response as part of efforts to alleviate the impact of these extreme weather conditions on communities and business and to bring the lives of the people affected back to normality.

We have since the early hours of today been responding to last night’s incessant rain that has wreaked untold damage on our communities and to devise a way forward in our joint efforts as local and provincial government to begin with relief and response operations.
Our purpose here today is also to assure the communities that our government is on top of its game in our endeavour to minimise the impact of this storm on our residents and businesses.

We have now sourced additional capacity from uMsunduzi Municipality and iLembe District. Most deaths are from Chatsworth, uMlazi, New Germany where two kids below seven years got killed.

The weather is not going to be abating soon, as the weather center is reporting that we will receive 60% of rain today and gale force winds will be coming from the Southern part of KZN.

We will be moving to the ground to conduct assessments. Some rivers have broken their banks and we urge people to be extra cautious. We are also issuing warnings for the Northern parts of KZN including King Cetshwayo District Municipality.

The extent of damage to infrastructure includes flooded and blocked roads, collapsed buildings and perimeter walls, blocked storm water drains and sewer lines, flooded buildings and households and power outages as a result of electric cable damage.

Displaced communities will be temporarily accommodated in community halls where they will receive emergency relief assistance.

At this stage the focus remains on recovery and the provision of relief efforts while assessments of damages are underway. We will only know the figures when these assessments have been completed. Damages are however estimated to run into millions of rand.

We are appealing to employers for understanding if their employees are late for work or if they do not come in at all due to the critical situation on the provincial road network. After so many accidents, some with casualties, have been reported, the department believes it is better to be safe now than sorry later.

At the same time, we would like to assure the general public that our disaster management teams are working round the clock to attend to all reported incidents. Where help is needed, it is already on its way or will be very soon. We are overwhelmed but our presence throughout KZN ensures that we will be able to assist everywhere we are called.

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