Heavy rains and flooding have caused extensive damage in Port Shepstone on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, affecting both private and public infrastructure. Several businesses in the area were forced to close on Sunday due to the severe flooding, and a number of homes were also waterlogged.
The coastal belt, stretching from Margate through Oslo Beach to Port Shepstone, bore the brunt of the downpour, according to KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila. The intense rainfall began at approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 21 December 2025.
"The downpour resulted in extensive damage to road infrastructure, commercial properties and shopping hubs, including the Shelly Centre," Mzila said. The flooding has disrupted normal activity in the area, with many residents and business owners counting the costs of the damage.
Disaster management teams have been deployed to the area, and mop-up operations are set to get underway. The teams will be assessing the extent of the damage and providing assistance to those affected by the flooding.
Despite the widespread damage, preliminary reports indicate that no one was physically harmed during the incident. "Reports so far indicate that there are no fatalities or injuries," Mzila confirmed. This comes as a relief to authorities and residents alike, given the severity of the flooding.
The focus now shifts to the clean-up and recovery efforts. Authorities are working to restore essential services and infrastructure as quickly as possible. Residents are urged to exercise caution and to cooperate with disaster management teams as they carry out their work. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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