The South African Weather Service does not expect conditions to improve much before Thursday.
Emergency services have been kept busy following severe flooding as rain continues to lash the South Coast.
According to South African Weather Services forecaster, Wiseman Dlamini, the wet weather conditions are expected to continue until Thursday.
“The outlook for tomorrow still shows a good chance of showers and thunderstorms over the whole province. At this stage we are most likely going for 60 percent probability. However it looks like improvement can be expected from Thursday onwards,” he said.
According to Mr Dlamini most areas on the South Coast including Margate and Port Edward have been badly affected by the torrential rain.
Some schools in KZN have been closed due to the extreme weather, but at the time of writing, no reports had been received of South Coast schools following suit.
NSRI Port Edward, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue Services responded to a distress call from Munster.
According to the NSRI, five people were helped from two homes which had partially flooded, with the water being knee-deep.
Pic taken from The Pont holiday and Water Sport Resort Facebook Page
Denis Meyer wrote on the The Pont Holiday and Water Sport Resort Facebook page earlier today that The Pont in Port Edward was flooded as a result of the heavy rains that were experienced during the past couple of days. “Over 300mm of rain has already been measured there. It is still raining and a further 130mm is predicted for today. The swimming pool was totally overwhelmed and will have to be drained and cleaned. pub and restaurant are also flooded and the restaurant deck is literally floating! Huge cleanup operation on the cards,” he said.
For video 1: see Online Article
Both Ugu District Municipality and RNM disaster services have urged South Coaster to stay on high alert and to take all possible safety precautions.
RNM Spokesman Simon April has confirmed that so far no fatalities had been recorded but information on the scale of the damage caused is still being gathered.
For video 2: see Online Article
In KwaNzimakwe, those in the Woza area are stranded as the ward 10 bridge flooded when the Mpenjathi River burst its banks.
In Murchison and Bhobhoyi, several access roads have reportedly been washed away, while on the P200 back road, all three bridges leading to Izotsha and Gamalakhe are flooded and the road is closed.
“Please avoid crossing waterlogged bridges, and unclear and suspicious ravines. For incidents of disaster, fallen trees, damaged roads and any other flooding-related incidents please contact our 24 hour emergency line 039 682 5555,” said Mr April.
UGU
Meanwhile Ugu has notified customers that due to the current heavy rainfalls, the water and sanitation services in some areas may be disrupted.
According to Ugu, most breaks which have led to supply interruptions in some areas will not be accessible to technicians, especially those in rivers and streams.
“Customers are therefore advised that technicians will only be able to attend to such breaks once the heavy rains subside. Relief supply will be provided to those areas which are accessible by water tankers,” reads a statement from Ugu.
The municipality urges customers to refrain from directing their stormwater to its sewer systems as this overload has negative effects on the systems.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Umzumbe Municipality: Nomvuyo Lushaba (Manager) 071 604 0400 039 972 0005 Zamokwakhe Ndovela (Practitioner) 060 998 0558 079 956 5019 039 972 0005 Makhosi Ngcobo (Practitioner) 076 790 5082
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Selwyn Naidoo (Chief Officer )082 418 2830; 039 688 2095; 039 682 5555 (Control Room) Zandile Mbokazi (Fire fighter) 083 339 6740 Caleb Hlophe (Fire fighter) 082 595 4929
Umdoni Municipality: Bongani Ntsebeshe (Chief Officer) 083 879 2095; 039 974 1061; 039 974 6200 (Control Room)
Umuziwabantu Municipality: Siyabonga Luswazi (Divisional Fire Officer )073 423 4631; 039 433 1298 Mpilo Vezi (Senior Disaster Management Officer) 079 472 5440; 039 433 2055 Reuben Ndlovu (Director Community Services) 083 668 5341; 039 433 1205
