KZN beefs up disaster management to prepare for heavy rain

Disaster management authorities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are bracing for potentially damaging and dangerous rains, with concerted efforts being made to avoid fatalities.

In April and May this year, more than 450 people died after unprecedented heavy rainfall hit the province. Widespread flooding commenced, with lives disrupted and infrastructure severely damaged.

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Weather warnings

To stay afloat this time around, the KZN disaster management centre on Monday convened a joint operations committee (JOC) meeting to receive situational reports from municipalities on their state of readiness to deal with the ongoing rainfall.

During the meeting, the South African Weather Service (Saws) forecast that rain would subside from Tuesday to Thursday, but warned that heavy rains would return over the weekend.

Saws added that heavy rain would likely fall in the province over the next three months, and disaster teams were urged to remain on high alert.

Until rains have stopped, the provincial JOC committed to holding daily briefings, to “provide an opportunity for the province to get a global picture whilst also identifying areas that might need provincial intervention.”

The provincial disaster management centre is expecting reports from regional managers “three times daily”, updating the committee on the amount of rainfall recorded, any incidents, any support required or provided to households in distress, and contingency plans in place to deal with incidents.

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Incidents reported

Currently, the following incidents from municipalities across the province have been recorded:

• Umngeni municipality: 10 houses partially damaged. Households are to be assisted with plastic sheeting, mattresses and blankets.
• Ugu district: Four households in Oshabeni affected, assessments are being conducted.
• Nquthu and Emadlangeni municipalities: Lightning incidents reported.
• Ndwendwe municipality: 10 households affected, assessments are being conducted and relief will be provided.
• Umsunduzi municipality: Midmar and Henley Dams reported to be overflowing, with a potential risk to households downstream. The municipality was urged to alert vulnerable households, and to evacuate anyone in danger.
• eThekwini municipality: Mudslide reported at La Mercy, with subsequent flooding, affecting 30 to 40 houses.

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Help on standby

A number of government departments and organisations are already on standby to assist those affected by the ongoing rains.

These include the South African Social Security Agency, which confirmed they would assist with food vouchers as soon as they are given lists of households in need.

The South African Red Cross Society and the Al-Imdaad Foundation also indicated they were ready to assist in any way possible.

In addition, the Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs committed to assisting businesses and tourism establishments in distress, and appealed to municipalities to indicate if they needed assistance.

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Compiled by Nica Richards.