Disaster management teams remain on high alert across KZN as heavy rain continues to batter the province.
With rain expected to continue in KZN until tomorrow, the South African Weather Service has issued a level 6 alert for the King Cetshwayo and Umkhanyakude district municipalities.
According to an article published by the Zululand Observer this morning, other municipalities in the eastern parts of the province are on a level 2 alert.
KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has warned residents to be vigilant.
The orange level 6 warning is for disruptive rain leading to flooding of roads and settlements, danger to life (fast-flowing streams), damage to property, and major disruption of traffic flow along the coast and interior.
As the rains continue, residents are advised to avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where the water level is above ankle height, the department said in a statement.
It urges residents to adhere to the instructions issued by municipalities and law enforcement agencies regarding road closures due to flooding.
While no major incidents have been reported, all municipalities that are likely to be affected have taken precautionary measures, including preparing evacuation plans. These include using public buildings as safe havens should people need to be evacuated, the department added.
It also appeals to residents to postpone non-essential travelling, as some roads are flooded.
Keep learners safe
The KZN Department of Education has issued directives to schools across the province to ensure pupils’ safety.
“Based on the experience of April 2022 [when deadly floods hit the province], it is imperative that schools and offices adhere to specific guidelines in the event of extreme rainfall, wind, or any other natural disaster that may threaten the lives of learners, teachers, and officials,” said KZN Education head of department Nkosinathi Ngcobo.
“It is significant to note that any damage to road infrastructure may render learners and educators unable to make their way to schools. This includes delivery of food items necessary for the feeding of learners.
“Should the situation be completely unfavourable, the principal takes the responsibility to advise parents to keep their children at home,” said Ngcobo.
“In the event that learners are already at school, principals must observe the severity of the rainfall and decide either to keep learners in school for their safety or immediately release them before the situation worsens,” he added.
Some pupils stay at home
Another article published by Zululand Observer this morning states that pupils at KwaMbonambi Primary School have been given the day off amid the ongoing disruptive rain. Ikusasalethu High School in Mtubatuba did the same, informing parents that classes would be suspended.
Education MEC Mbali Frazer yesterday also advised teachers, parents and caregivers to use their discretion on whether or not school should go ahead during the inclement weather.
Durban Botanic Gardens boundary wall collapses
An article published by Berea Mail this morning, states that damage from yesterday’s heavy rainfall can already be seen.
A boundary wall of the Durban Botanic Gardens, located on John Zikhali Road in Berea, completely collapsed, with municipal vehicles and equipment kept just behind the boundary wall having fallen among the rubble of the collapsed wall.
The damage also caused the awning above the vehicles to collapse, and it appears that several water pipes burst as a result of the collapsed wall. The right lane of the road, where cars are driven uphill, was closed off near the collapsed wall as municipal teams worked to clear the rubble.
KZN Disaster Management teams are on high alert as more rain is expected, and residents are advised to exercise caution when using the public road.
Ethekwini ready
The South Coast Sun has reported that the Ethekwini Municipality is ready to deal with the heavy rains that are forecast to continue. Yesterday, the South Coast recorded 44.6mm of rain in 12 hours, causing significant waterlogging on several roads.
eThekwini’s head of Disaster Management and Emergency Control, Vincent Ngubane, has delivered a comprehensive briefing to the executive committee in a special virtual meeting.
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