By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says the death toll from the heavy rains that wreaked havoc across the province in December has risen to 40, with five others still unaccounted for.
The province has witnessed the devastating floods lately, as more rains are expected throughout January.
The department’s spokesperson, Nonala Ndlovu, says, “The number of fatalities has risen to 40, and five people are still missing as disaster management teams continue with the search and rescue operations after rains and thunderstorms affected different parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
“Two of the bodies that were recovered on Friday are still undergoing DNA testing to verify if they are part of the missing five. The highest number of fatalities, sitting at 25, was recorded in Thukela district, and 74 people sustained injuries across the province, said Ndlovu.”
In June, heavy rainfall triggered deluges that killed seven people, and another seven went missing, in and around the city of Durban.
In April last year, devastating floods hit the coastal province killing more than 440 people.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said majority of the country will experience rainfall and thunderstorms this weekend, heading into the week.
There is also a possibility of localised flooding on Monday for parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
SA weather forecaster Mbavhi Maliage, “We are seeing isolated thunderstorms over the North West, the Free State, and also in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN. We are seeing a cold front that will make landfall, resulting in some showers and rainfall along the coastal regions of the Western Cape.”