Lerato Mbhiza
KwaZulu-Natal Disaster Management says the death toll from heavy rains and thunderstorms that have battered the province recently has risen to 32.
The flooding happened after heavy rains caused the Bellspruit River to burst its banks, leading to a flash flood in the Ladysmith Town on Christmas Eve.
Collectively, over 600 households have been affected, with 140 of them being left completely destroyed.
According to preliminary reports from the provincial department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs, more than 600 households were affected, with over 140 dwellings destroyed.
Uthukela district was the worst affected, with 23 fatalities recorded during the Ladysmith on Christmas Eve, while more than 100 houses were damaged.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said uMgungundlovu district had the highest number of homes damaged. Two deaths were reported in the area and one person remains missing after a car was swept away in the uMsunduzi River in Pietermaritzburg.
Since the beginning of these rains, we have been responding promptly, providing immediate disaster relief such as blankets, plastic sheeting and vouchers to affected families.
“We have also offered psychological support through the department of social development to the affected families and assisted with burial arrangements. We have activated other sector departments such as human settlements, transport, and home affairs to co-ordinate assistance from these departments,” he said.
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