THE heavy rain which has caused accidents, damaged roads and houses and claimed lives these past few days is expected to continue for the rest of the week.
According to Durban weather forecaster, Stacy Colborne, Durban experienced 17,4 mm of rainfall on Saturday, 11,8 mm on Sunday and 9mm on Monday. There were no records for the Highway area.
Metro police spokesman, Eugene Msomi, said on Monday they had reports of 22 accidents in the Durban area since Saturday.
“We have had reports of vehicles that were swept away by the heavy rains as well as reports of collapsed bridges,” said Msomi.
The heavy rains caused a portion of the bridge on Inanda Road, in Hillcrest, to collapse.
According to an engineer working on the road construction near the bridge, the heavy rain eroded the sand underneath the bridge, which weakened the foundation.
“The actual structure of the bridge is intact. We have received a plan of action from the department of transport, and will be working on the solution as fast as humanly possible. The weather has played a huge part in delaying the repairs,” said the engineer, who wished to remain anonymous.
Steven King, the founder of Waterfall Crime Watch, reported that the road would be closed until the bridge had been repaired.
“I have received an unconfirmed report that the repairs are estimated to be completed by 25 December,” said King.
PR Councillor for Ward 8, Gill Noyce, said the damage to the bridge was very unfortunate, and would cause a lot of inconvenience to the residents in the area.
“The road structure in the outer west is dragging far behind the rest of the city. It is unfortunate that we have so little infrastructure to provide alternative routes.
”This will have an awful impact on the area, as Waterfall and other outer west residents rely heavily on Inanda Road. I hope that the repairs will be a top priority for the department of transport,” said Noyce.
In another incident two toddlers at Luganda in Mariannhill, Alwande Ngcobo (3) and Senamile Cele (3) drowned in a pit which filled up with water during the heavy rains on Saturday.
Senamile’s mother, Xolisile, said she carried Senamile during the heavy rain as water was running into the house. When the rain stopped, she put her down to try and clean the house.
“I suspect that Senamile went to get her cousin, Alwande, so they could play outside. I don’t think they realised how deep the pit was as there was water all over the yard,” she said.
Xolisile said when they realised that the children were missing they went to look for them outside and that is when they found them floating in a pit that was meant for a toilet.
Colborne said although they have not issued any reports or warnings, the rain will continue for the rest of the week, with 30 per cent probability on Wednesday and 60 per cent on Thursday and Friday.
