More than 20 people have died in floods in KwaZulu-Natal over the past two months. This was announced by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi at a media briefing today.

He says as heavy rains persist, people must be always be cautious and avoid building homes in low lying areas.

Buthelezi says the death of one person due to floods is a loss to the nation.

“We have lost more than 20 people in the last two months and we are continuing to count the cost, especially the destruction of public infrastructure such a roads, clinics and access to homes. The cost of these floods runs into hundreds of millions and you would remember that there were severe floods in 2022, which we are still reeling from and we are still trying to settle some of the victims of 2022 and top of that, we have been hit by the recent floods,” says Buthelezi.

SAWS issues extreme weather alert in KZN:

Officials in KwaZulu Natal, have pleaded with parents in the province to allow learners not to go to school, if inclement weather persists.

Buthelezi says they were concerned about the safety of communities, as heavy rains continue to lash the province, coupled with a Level 5 Warning by the South African Weather Service for disruptive rain and flooding.

“The severe weather warnings, are due to predicted heavy rainfall, which poses a significant risk of widespread flooding, particularly in areas where the ground is already saturated. We do plead with parents not to force their children to go to school in these severe weather conditions, where some children as far as Ncotshane, in Uphongolo, were swept away by the river, while trying to cross,” says Buthelezi.

The department has also urged residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter on higher ground.

Buthelezi has appealed to people in the province to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, as roads in Ethekwini Metro, are already flooded.

“We strongly urge residents in low-lying areas, and those who are near river banks, to immediately move away and seek shelter on higher ground. Residents are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel. As a province, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of these severe thunderstorms, and associated flooding. The province, unfortunately, has already experienced tragic loss of life, due to the recent severe weather,” says Buthelezi.