KZN Floods Claim Life, Three Missing as Storms Lash South Africa
Durban – A devastating flash flood in KwaZulu-Natal has claimed at least one life, with three other individuals still missing after a vehicle was swept away in the deluge. The incident occurred on Sunday night in the Amanzimtoti area, south of Durban, as heavy rains overwhelmed local infrastructure, turning roads into raging rivers.
The vehicle, travelling along Longacres Drive, was caught in the torrents and washed away, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation that continued into Monday morning. ALS Paramedics and specialised search and rescue teams are working tirelessly at the scene, navigating the treacherous conditions in their urgent effort to locate the missing individuals.
"The situation is dire," said a member of the search and rescue team, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the operation. "We are doing everything we can to find the missing people, but the conditions are extremely challenging."
The flooding has caused widespread havoc throughout the province, with reports of submerged bridges and multiple mudslides in the surrounding areas. Authorities have issued urgent warnings to residents, urging them to exercise extreme caution as the South African Weather Service continues to issue alerts for disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms. Emergency services remain on high alert, closely monitoring low-lying areas and vulnerable settlements as the search for the missing continues.
Meanwhile, the relentless storm system has also wreaked havoc across Gauteng, bringing major cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria to a standstill. Over the past weekend, the South African Weather Service escalated its warnings to a Yellow Level 4 for the province, as persistent downpours saturated the soil and overwhelmed drainage systems.
Major arterial routes, including the N12 eastbound, have been brought to a complete standstill due to severe pooling and localized flooding. Hundreds of motorists were left stranded, and several low-lying bridges in Centurion were forced to close. The impact has been particularly severe in informal settlements, where rising river levels have threatened homes along the banks of the Jukskei and Vaal rivers.
Emergency Management Services (EMS) in the City of Joburg and Tshwane remain on high alert as they monitor vulnerable areas in Soweto, Alexandra, and Sebokeng. Residents in these regions have reported significant property damage from the combination of flash floods and heavy hail, with some families being forced to seek temporary shelter in community halls as their homes became uninhabitable.
"The water rose so quickly," said Maria Dlamini, a resident of Alexandra, whose home was flooded. "We had no time to save anything. We just had to get out."
Another resident, Thabo Nkosi from Sebokeng, echoed Dlamini's sentiments. "The hail was like nothing I've ever seen before," he said. "It was like rocks falling from the sky. Our roofs are damaged, and everything inside is wet."
The South African Weather Service has warned that the disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the week, urging residents to take necessary precautions. Authorities have advised people to avoid travelling if possible, and to stay away from low-lying areas and riverbanks.
"We are urging everyone to be extremely vigilant," said a spokesperson for the Gauteng EMS. "The ground is already saturated, and any further rainfall could lead to more flooding and mudslides. Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your families."
In KwaZulu-Natal, the focus remains on the search and rescue operation in Amanzimtoti. The recovery of the deceased individual has only heightened the urgency to find the remaining three missing persons. The search teams are battling against the odds, with poor visibility and treacherous conditions hampering their efforts.
"We are not giving up hope," said a member of the ALS Paramedics team. "We will continue to search until we have exhausted all possibilities."
The combined impact of the storms in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng has placed immense strain on emergency services and resources. Authorities are working around the clock to provide assistance to those affected, including providing temporary shelter, food, and medical assistance.
The full extent of the damage caused by the storms is still being assessed, but it is clear that the impact will be felt for some time to come. The authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and to follow all safety guidelines issued by the South African Weather Service and emergency services. The priority remains the safety and well-being of all those affected by the devastating weather conditions.
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