Kwazulu-Natal Floods
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, has classified several regions in KwaZulu-Natal as disaster areas in the wake of devastating floods that have claimed lives and caused extensive damage. The declaration underscores the urgency of addressing the catastrophic impact of the heavy rains that have plagued the province.
The SABC has reported that the areas deemed as disaster zones include the municipalities of Ilembe, Ugu, UMzinyathi, as well as the eThekwini Metro and the uThukela District. eThekwini Metro and uThukela District alone have incurred damages estimated at around R2 billion due to the relentless downpour. Nkadimeng stated that the classification was a preliminary step while the formal declaration processes are being completed.
Since mid-December, persistent rainfall has battered KwaZulu-Natal, leading into the new year with no respite, causing widespread flooding. The town of Ladysmith in the UThukela District has been particularly hard-hit, with weather-related incidents resulting in 26 deaths over the festive season.
In an effort to combat the recurring floods, especially in the Ladysmith Central Business District (CBD), Minister Nkadimeng highlighted the importance of redirecting water flow to preservation dams or catchment areas. Such measures are crucial to prevent further flooding.
On a recent Friday, Nkadimeng, accompanied by Deputy Minister Parks Tau and KZN CoGTA MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi, led a multi-disciplinary intergovernmental delegation to assess the damage in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality which falls within the uThukela District. The team met with a variety of stakeholders to discuss the crisis and witness the destruction firsthand.
The widespread flooding has had a significant impact on both individuals and communities, leading to loss of life, damage to property, and destruction of vital infrastructure. This devastation has left many families homeless and in dire need of aid.
Acknowledging the role of climate change in exacerbating the impact of natural disasters, CoGTA underlined the necessity of better-integrated planning by all stakeholders to reduce the damage wrought by such severe weather events. Nkadimeng emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction and adaptability as essential strategies for countering the detrimental effects of climate change.
In light of the ongoing disaster, Nkadimeng urged for the acceleration of planned interventions within the municipality to improve flood mitigation efforts, demonstrating a commitment to proactive disaster management and risk reduction.
During her visit, the Minister expressed deep sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives due to the floods and extended gratitude toward community members and civil society organizations that have provided support and assistance, including rescue operations. Nkadimeng praised their expressions of Ubuntu, a sense of collective humanity and compassion, which resonated throughout the affected communities during this time of crisis.
Looking ahead, the Minister committed to the mobilization of resources through the Disaster Management Centre to aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure and assist those affected by the deluge.
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