By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Search and rescue officials have recovered the bodies of two more people in connection with a flash flood that swept through Ladysmith on Christmas Eve.
IPSS Medical Rescue’s Samantha Meyrick says all those swept away by flood waters in the caravan park area have been accounted for.
“Unfortunately, they’re still searching for the victims in the vehicle that were washed away.”
“A lot of the search and rescue, especially Ladysmith search and rescue have been on scene since Sunday night, IPSS Pietermaritzburg search and rescue has been on scene since Tuesday so they have been working none stop all week.”
It brings the death toll in the case to 14, with rescuers continuing their search for missing people on Friday.
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service says many parts of KwaZulu-Natal may be in for heavy rainfall throughout the New Year’s long weekend.
A warning has been issued that heavy rainfall may occur from this afternoon over the Durban metro, Pietermaritzburg, Estcourt, Mooi River, Newcastle, Kokstad and Port Shepstone.
Forecaster Wisani Maluleke says these areas, as well as places along the coast, can expect increased rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow until New Year’s Eve.
He has warned that business owners and residents in low-lying areas should be vigilant because the heavy rain may lead to flooding.