Death toll rises to 51 after devastating Durban floods

The death toll has risen to 51 after a flash flood tore through Durban on Monday, reports Northglen News.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who has urged relatives to come forward and identify the bodies of the deceased, said the clergy and social workers would be on hand to provide counselling and other psycho-social support services for the bereaved families.

ALSO READ: #DurbanStorm Emergency funding approved for KZN, says Ramaphosa

Dhlomo said the mortal remains of 36 people are being kept at Pinetown Medico-Legal Mortuary.

They were taken in from Chatsworth, Malvern, Mariannhill, and surrounding areas.

The Magwaza Maphalala (Gale) Street Medico-Legal Mortuary, meanwhile, is looking after the mortal remains of 15 people who were brought in from Umlazi, Reservoir Hills, Overport, Bluff, and surrounding areas.

This adds to the 13 lives that were claimed in Empangeni on Thursday when a church wall collapsed in the extreme weather conditions.

“This is an extremely difficult time, but we have put these measures in place to help our fellow compatriots to cope at this difficult time,” said Dhlomo.

The extent of damage to infrastructure includes flooded and blocked roads, collapsed buildings and perimeter walls, blocked stormwater drains and sewer lines, flooded buildings and households and power outages as a result of electric cable damage.

Displaced communities have had to be temporarily accommodated in community halls, where they will receive emergency relief assistance.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.