THE death toll has risen to 51 after a flash flood tore through Durban on Monday.
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 will be on hand to provide counselling and other psycho-social support services for the bereaved families.
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.
Also read: Collection started to help victims of Durban flood
“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.
Also read: Heavy rains cause havoc in Durban and surrounds
The extent of damage to infrastructure includes flooded and blocked roads, collapsed buildings and perimeter walls, blocked storm water 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.
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