This aerial view shows sports fields under water days after heavy rains in Durban on April 15, 2022. – The death toll from South Africa’s “unprecedented” floods climbed to 341 on Thursday as helicopters fanned out across the southeastern city of Durban in an increasingly desperate search for survivors.
With roads and bridges washed away by freak rainfall this week, rescuers battled to deliver supplies across the city, where some residents have been without power or water since April 11, 2022. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
KZN floods: Death toll rises to 395
The KZN COGTA MEC said the death toll in the province has increased to 395, on Friday. Most of the fatalities are in the eThekwini metro.
This aerial view shows sports fields under water days after heavy rains in Durban on April 15, 2022. – The death toll from South Africa’s “unprecedented” floods climbed to 341 on Thursday as helicopters fanned out across the southeastern city of Durban in an increasingly desperate search for survivors.
With roads and bridges washed away by freak rainfall this week, rescuers battled to deliver supplies across the city, where some residents have been without power or water since April 11, 2022. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) announced that the number of fatalities in the flood-hit province has increased to nearly 400 people, on Friday, 15 April.
KZN DEATH TOLL RISES
KZN COGTA MEC Sipho Hlomuk said the death toll had increased to 395 from the 341 fatalities reported on Thursday, 14 April. Approximately 40 723 people have been displaced by the flooding and destruction across the province.
Hlomuka provided a breakdown of the number of fatalities by district in KZN. The eThekwini metro is most affected with 355 deaths, followed by Ilembe with 28, Ugu with 6, King Cetshwayo with 4 and uMzinyathi with 2.
The figure is expected to continue to rise as relief and recovery operations continue in KZN. More inclement weather is also expected over Easter weekend as “persistent rain” is forecasted.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 4 rain warning on Thursday and warned that it may result in “further impacts” as the soil is saturated, drainage systems are blocked and rivers have burst their banks.
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