By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala says the torrential rain storm that hit the province has resulted in widespread damage and destruction.
Zikalala was giving an update after the province experienced more rains on Saturday following last month’s devastating floods.
“We are yet to receive a full comprehensive report on the impact of these latest heavy rains, but as reports come in a worrying picture is however emerging. The South African Weather Services (SAWS) predicts that the storm will be moving up the coast thus affecting the district of King Cetshwayo and Mkhanyakude.”
The provincial government has called an impromptu briefing where disaster management teams as well as MEC’s and mayors of several districts gave an update on rescue operations.
A Red Level 10 warning has been issued for parts of KZN by the South African Weather Service.
It’s the highest possible warning issued by the weather bureau.
“We can assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal of the preparedness of all our disaster teams in all districts including being alert to all the areas that are prone to flooding, “Zikalala said.
He added that the relief interventions are on-going to ensure that all community halls with displaced people are receiving adequate relief assistance, social support services and medical assistance.
Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to move to higher ground.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance, Sipho Hlomuka urged resident to evacuate the area if asked to do so by search and rescue personnel.
“The lives that we lost in the previous disaster, is not something that we are proud of. That’s why we have activated disaster management teams because we are proactive. We are alerting our people to ensure that they are in the safer zones,” says Hlomuka.
It’s been barely a month since more than 450 people died in devastating floods in the province.
Rescue teams are now scrambling to evacuate as many residents to higher ground in a desperate bid to avoid a repeat of the April disaster.