At least 51 people have died following heavy rains and floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, authorities said on Tuesday.
The provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (COGTA) said that heavy storms have battered various parts of the province since Monday night.
Phumla Williams, spokesperson of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said that rescue work by emergency services was ongoing and that displaced communities in KZN would be temporarily accomodated in community halls where they would receive emergency relief assistance.
She also said that it was encouraging to see affected communities coming together during crisis to help those in need.
“South Africans are resilient and strong. During a crisis, we support each other and work together to bring back normality to communities. These tragic incidents have also been marked by acts of courage and kindness that make us proud to be called South Africans.”
The recent floods have severely battered parts of KZN and Eastern Cape, leaving behind a trail of destruction, with many lives lost and others injured, as well as homes and properties destroyed, Williams said.
The national government said it was working around the clock to alleviate the impact of the extreme weather conditions on communities and to bring the lives of the people affected back to normality.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday morning visited areas affected by the devastating floods saying it was important to pass condolences to the families affected.
President @CyrilRamaphosa is in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods over the past weekend. He has thanked all those involved in the search and rescue operations in all the affected areas. #KZNFloods pic.twitter.com/oIuXrdMF4c
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 24, 2019
“It was important to come and see what has happened we pass our condolences to the families of those who have died in this disaster. We are saddened by what has happened here. The loss of life is never easy, especially when so unexpected.” ~ President @CyrilRamaphosa #KZNFloods pic.twitter.com/ZkJQwvCulp
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 24, 2019
Many South Africans on social media have also expressed their distress and issued condolences to the families affected.
This rain left some families homeless…Praying for those who were affected 🙏🏽#Umlazi #KZNFloods pic.twitter.com/2j4zChhVBk
— Mandisa Dlamini👑 (@magnificentdla1) April 23, 2019
Dear Lord, shelter & protect us. May our brothers & sisters find comfort in your name at this tragic moment. #KZNFloods
— KHANYI MBAU (@MbauReloaded) April 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/Thobela_live/status/1120664072465334273
