KwaZulu-Natal Government extends support to flood victims in Ladysmith

In the aftermath of heavy Christmas Eve rains, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has rallied to aid families affected by a devastating flood in Ladysmith.

The Bellspruit River, swelling from torrential downpours, breached its banks under the Mbonothu Bridge, inundating the N11 road near the Limit Hill robots.

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Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube expressed her condolences to the families of the seven flood victims in the province. Six lives were lost in Ladysmith due to a riverbank collapse, while a separate incident claimed the life of an 8-year-old child in Mandeni.

Government assures support to flood victims

MEC for Cooperative Governance Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi visited the affected area, assessing damages and meeting with grieving families. The provincial government, through Sithole-Moloi, assured comprehensive support during this distressing period.

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“As a department, we have been providing assistance to all the affected families in collaboration with our disaster response partners.

“We are joined by various departments such as Human Settlements and Social Development, with representatives from the National Department also present. We wish to assure the affected families that we will stand by them throughout this difficult period.

ALSO READ: Ladysmith floods claim lives: Premier sends condolences

“Counselling services will be made available, and preparations for the burials of those who have passed away are underway. Moreover, we want to assure the families that we will exert every effort to locate those who are still missing,” said the MEC.

Intensified search and rescue efforts

Search and rescue operations, led by SAPS K9 Unit, IPSS Medical Rescue, and Al-Imdaad Foundation, intensified efforts in Ladysmith as the number of missing individuals continued to rise.

ALSO READ: Flash floods claim six lives, 10 missing in Ladysmith

The disaster management teams, in conjunction with municipalities, will continue assessments. Home Affairs and Social Development Department have been engaged to support families in replacing lost personal documents.

The province remains committed to standing by affected families, exerting every effort to locate missing individuals during this difficult period.

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