South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a declaration of a national state of disaster to respond to widespread flooding.
He explained how, over the last week, communities along parts of South Africa’s eastern coast have been devastated by catastrophic flooding. On the 11th and 12th of April, parts of KwaZulu-Natal received between 200 and 400 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period. All parts of the province were affected by the rainfall, with the entire Ethekwini metro and the districts of iLembe, Ugu, King Cetshwayo and uMgungundlovu being most affected.
Heavy rainfall and flooding have also been experienced in the Eastern Cape, particularly in the districts of Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo, where roads, bridges and houses have been extensively damaged, especially in the Port St Johns’ area.
To date, a total of 443 people are known to have lost their lives in KwaZulu-Natal. Approximately 48 people are missing or unaccounted for.
The rains of the last week have caused extensive damage to water, electricity, rail and telecommunications infrastructure. It has also disrupted fuel and food supplies.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
