A video, showing the aftermath of Tuesday’s heavy flooding in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has gone viral on social media.
Inclement weather in the parts of the province left a trail of destruction, damaging property and displacing families. According to reports, more than 50 people have already been declared dead.
In the video, wreckage can be seen washed up on a beach, as well a fuel tanker.
Aftermath
Meanwhile, the KZN Provincial Executive Council has now called for a state of disaster to be declared in the province.
According to Premier Sihle Zikalala, declaring a state of disaster will enable the province to apply for emergency funding from the National Treasury and grant authority to reprioritise the current budgets in order to address the reconstruction work necessary to bring the province back to normal.
The South African Weather Service has also warned that rain is expected to return to many provinces ahead of and during the coming Easter Weekend.
“The public is therefore urged to continue to monitor forecasts and warnings issued by SAWS,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
Safety tips:
People living in low-lying areas must take special care during storms, as sudden floods might affect them. They should monitor the rising water levels and evacuate the areas to a safer place or higher spot when the water level rises.
- Do not cross through flooded roads or bridges – use other routes
- Avoid crossing low-lying bridges, streams and rivers
- Never try to walk, swim or drive in swift-flowing water. Even if the water is 15 cm deep, it can sweep you off your feet
- Motorists must be very careful and avoid driving through flooded areas
- Drive to and park in safer areas
- The public must monitor weather alerts on radio and television
- The public should contact their municipal disaster management centres or the nearest police station or call the national emergency numbers (112, 10177 or 107) when faced with threats
- Do not try to drive over a low-water bridge if water is flowing strongly across it and the ground is not visible
- Teach your children about the dangers of floods
- Keep your important documents in a water-resistant container
- Keep your cell phone in close proximity to you and have emergency numbers at hand
- Be especially vigilant at night. It is harder to recognise potentially deadly road hazards
- Do not camp or park your car along rivers or washes, especially during heavy rains or thunderstorms
Emergency Numbers #KZNFloods pic.twitter.com/JNhSnIz5N2
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 13, 2022
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Picture: Screenshot from video