Johannesburg – At least five people have been killed in floods and mudslides across South Africa’s port city of Durban following heavy rains in recent days, authorities said on Tuesday.
If you are wondering whether or not you should send your kid to school during the #DurbanFloods just keep your child at home.
If anyone is upset with you tell them Sdu from Twitter thought it’s in the best interest of likkle ones. pic.twitter.com/NZuLmMhEM2— Sdu (@shufflesdu) April 12, 2022
Days of rains have flooded several areas and shut dozens of roads across the city, which is popular for its idyllic beaches.
“Five deaths have been reported so far but we are still busy gathering information from the emergency services,” Lungi Mtshali, spokesperson for the Cooperative Governance ministry, told AFP.
#Durban floods pic.twitter.com/2sKWAV504y
— Bheki Ndlovu (@KingbNdlovu) April 11, 2022
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Video footage shared by private rescue workers and paramedics show flooded city highways, submerged cars and collapsed houses.
The risk management department in the southeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, of which Durban is the largest city, urged people to stay at home and ordered those residing in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.
Rescue operations are underway to evacuate people in areas that have “experienced mudslides, flooding and structural collapses of buildings and roads”, the department said.
#Durban floods pic.twitter.com/2sKWAV504y
— Bheki Ndlovu (@KingbNdlovu) April 11, 2022
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“It’s an absolute nightmare. Plenty of mudslides, people passing dying, buildings collapsed,” Garrith Jamieson, director of Durban-based ALS Paramedics services told AFP. He predicted there would be “more fatalities”.
Local media are reporting between 11 and 20 people dead but these figures have not yet been confirmed.
According to KZN Cogta, 20 people have been killed as a result of flooding in the province. Two people are also missing. #KZNFloods #DurbanFloods #Durbanweather pic.twitter.com/YKBaorAhsD
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) April 12, 2022
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter / @NikitaNAidoo10
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