KZN weather: Disaster teams on high alert as heavy rains expected
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Sipho Hlomuka, has directed disaster management teams across the province to be on high alert as more bad weather is expected this weekend in northern parts of KZN.
The South African Weather Service issued a warning and a report this week. The report indicated that there is a severe risk of flooding due to the tropical storm that is expected to descend on the province this weekend.
Currently, disaster management teams are dealing with floods in the uThukela district where towns such as Ladysmith and Winterton saw their roads flooded as a result of persistent heavy rains.
“A Joint Operations Committee for Disaster Management in the uThukela District is meeting daily to devise a way to mitigate the impact of the flooding and to prevent any loss of life should the water level continue to increase.”
EIGHT LIVES LOST IN KZN DUE TO HEAVY RAINS
READ: Tropical Storm Eloise: Weather service issues Level 4 warning for SA
MEC Hlomuka said that so far, KwaZulu-Natal has lost eight lives as a result of the inclement weather conditions that started on 24 January 2021 due to tropical depression Eloise. “The fatalities include a 3-year-old child that was swept away when her mother was crossing a river in Ulundi.
“Residents are urged to continue to exercise extreme caution as the coming rains could exacerbate the current situation with a number of areas and communities facing the prospect of floods,” he said.
WEATHER WARNING: DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAMS ON HIGH ALERT
Hlomuka added they have directed disaster management teams to work closely with community structures such as ward committees and traditional councils. This will help ensure that residents in areas that face the risk of flooding are sufficiently warned and assisted should the need arise.
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