The unprecedented flooding that hit the area yesterday has claimed at least one life. A woman was washed away in the Thelapi area, Wasbank district, after over 100mm of rain fell in the greater Endumeni area in less than three hours.
Phumlani Ntombela of Disaster Management said teams were out early this morning in an effort to retrieve her body.
Many low-lying areas were flooded with homes in Craigieburn, Craigside, Dlamini Village, Forrestdale, Peacevale and the lower CBD affected.
Tinky and Jann Potgieter’s home in Craigieburn has been virtually consumed by mud after a torrent of water rushed down Mpati hill and through their house.
See video here of the destruction:
A tearful Jann said a landslide of water pushed over the retainer wall and came through their home.
“We had to stay in the caravan park last night,” she said. Volunteers have come forward to assist with a cleanup operation.
Donations are also needed in Avoca (Craigside) and other areas affected. Pasu Nair and staff of Nairmet on Van Eck Street found themselves trapped in their factory after a clogged up stream overflowed and into their premises.
Relatives came to assist them.
Around 30 people were accommodated in local halls after their homes were severely damaged. Dlamini village, Sibongile, was hard hit with many shacks damaged or destroyed.
Smith Street
Emergency groups responded by donating blankets, food, and drinking water to those affected. People also reacted to an appeal on the Courier’s Facebook page for residents to assist those in need.
Mac Osman, one of those who co-ordinated the effort said: “Our heartfelt gratitude to the Dundee Muslim community that spearheaded and funded for the most part, the humanitarian effort for the displaced victims of the recent heavy rains in Dundee.
Food, blankets, bottled drinking water and other necessities were provided by the generous donors, to the grief-stricken and obviously traumatised victims, who in some cases lost all their possessions to the relentless, raging flood water. In addition, we thank the numerous generous offers, by various business people, and members of the community.”
Ntombela told the Courier they were grateful that the entire community had come to the aid of so many. Several factories in the industrial area were flooded and many roads were damaged.
Cllr Gopie inspecting a stormater drain, clogged with rubbish, on the corner of Victoria and Smith Streets.
Cllr Naresh Gopie chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee again called on residents to refrain from ‘mass littering that is clogging up storm water drains and streams – which doubled the effects of the flooding’.
The municipality cleared Ann Street where a large tree came crashing down in the heavy rain.
He told the Courier: “Poor or No maintenance to stormwater infrastructure, irresponsible behavior of people dumping plastic, clothing and all kinds of rubbish illegally, throwing rubbish out of vehicles, onto the streets. Our town has been bombarded with litter and garbage every minute of the day, and people living recklessly have seen the real impact of arrogant behavior toward our environment. Total disrespect to the environment ….this is the direct result of our actions.
“More stringent laws need to be implemented and executed while perpetrators must be charged for littering. This is the norm in many countries.”
