Ladysmith

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Ladysmith flooding: More than 100 people evacuated, 25 killed and two missing

So far, 25 people have lost their lives, with two people still missing and more than 100 others evacuated in the recent floods in Ladysmith.

Ladysmith

Photo: Facebook

The weather conditions in and around Ladysmith have left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. More than 100 people have been evacuated, 25 people have lost their lives, and two people are still missing.

CLEAN UP OPERATIONS HAVE STARTED

According to reports, the river levels have dramatically decreased and floodwaters receded. This has left the street of Ladysmith in dirty, muddy slime. Officials have cautioned motorists to drive with care on the roads, which are all re-opened.

Meanwhile, several bodies of suspected drowning victims were found on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Shocking! 82 people killed by drowning and lightning in recent floods

SEVERAL BODIES WERE FOUND ON WEDNESDAY

According to a report by the Ladysmith Gazette, the bodies of two men, aged 36 and 37, were recovered from the Ngcongcosi River in the Bhethani area of Bergville on Wednesday afternoon.

It is believed that the two men were loading sand onto a truck on the riverbank. When they had finished, they went to wash their hands in the river. It is then alleged that one of them slipped and fell in the mud. The other man tried to rescue him, and they were both swept away.

The body of a man, who drowned in the Klip River at Peacetown, was found wedged in the mud on the banks of the Klip River near Hobsland on Wednesday.

He reportedly drowned on Sunday, but the river was too fast-flowing to be searched.

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FROM FLOODED AREAS

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka said more than 100 residents were evacuated from flooded areas in Ladysmith.

According to disaster management teams, heavy rains in the catchment areas have led to the uThukela River bursting its banks over the weekend and affecting communities and towns located along its path.

“The province has been experiencing inclement weather conditions since early December, which have left a trail of death and destruction in their wake. So far, 25 people have lost their lives, with two people still missing,” added Hlomuka.

COMMUNITIES WARNED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION

He warned communities along the banks of rivers to exercise extreme caution.

“Currently, the bridge linking Kranskop and Nkandla is submerged in water, we appeal to the community in this area to not go near the bridge and for parents to guard their children,” said Hlomuka.

In the Mandeni Local Municipality, 20 families had to be evacuated from their homes on Monday in Shekembuya.

In the Msinga Local Municipality, 15 people were evacuated on Monday and moved to uMkhuphulangwenya (the Sampofu area in Ward 4) to the municipal hall for safety.