KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has deployment disaster management teams to Endumeni Local Municipality and uMlalazi Local Municipality after the areas were struck by storms on Saturday. A search is underway in the eNdumeni Local Municipality (Dundee) for a woman who was swept away in flood waters after a storm struck the area on Saturday night. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department, heavy rains led to localised flooding in the Sibongile Township in the municipality.
The department said KZN (Cogta) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has urgently deployed disaster management teams to areas affected by severe weather conditions across the province. “A 35-year-old woman was swept away during the incident. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, while mop-up efforts have commenced to assist affected households.” Another disaster management team has been dispatched to uMlalazi Local Municipality (Eshowe), where severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall caused significant damage in wards 16, 21, and 14.
A person was also struck by lightning in ward 8 and is receiving medical care in hospital. The department said the MEC has urged residents across KwaZulu-Natal to remain vigilant as inclement weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the spring and summer seasons, with above-average rainfall forecasted. Communities are advised to monitor official weather alerts and take precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.
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“Our disaster management teams are on high alert and will continue to respond swiftly to emergencies. We appeal to residents to exercise caution and report any incidents to local authorities,” said MEC Buthelezi.
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