KWAZULU-NATAL. — Three homes collapsed this morning in Tshelimnyama, Mariannhill, near Pinetown, after sustained heavy rain triggered local mudslides. A total of fourteen residents have been affected by the incident so far.
eThekwini Municipality says disaster management and emergency teams remain on standby following heavy rain that has been falling over the municipal area since yesterday. Emergency services have secured and cleared the area. No deaths, injuries or people trapped have been reported.
Disaster management teams are conducting further assessments and coordinating immediate humanitarian and emergency aid to the affected families. The Isipingo river mouth has been opened in the meantime to relieve water build-up and reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding communities. The public is urged to exercise caution, as saturated soil increases the risk of further mudslides and localised flooding. Motorists must switch on their headlights, reduce speed and never attempt to drive through flooded roads or low-water bridges.
Emergencies and storm-related damage to infrastructure can be reported to eThekwini's central disaster call centre on 031 361 0000.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
