Communities urged to heed weather warnings
Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car
WHILE the South African Weather Service has forecast little to no rainfall over much of South Africa over the next five days, the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has urged citizens to remain cautious.
SAIA said everyone must heed the warnings of weather forecasters and local emergency management authorities.
ALSO READ: Relatives urged to identify 51 people killed in Durban storm
Where there is a possibility of flooding and landslides, SAIA has recommended the following safety precautions:
* Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground;
* Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car;
* If advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately;
* After a flood, return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so;
*You should also be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and take note of debris;
* Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.
This comes as rescue and recovery operations continue owing to mudslides and sinkholes that swallowed homes during the heavy storm in the province.
‘The extent of the damage in certain areas requires the expertise of engineers and others who are qualified to guide the process to repair all that has been damaged and rebuild what is damaged,’ said Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister, Zweli Mkhize.
Mkhize also urged communities to heed the call and tips from the authorities regarding extreme weather conditions.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
