Africa-Press – South-Africa. Less than two months after floods battered KwaZulu-Natal, causing hundreds of millions of rands worth of damage and displacing more than 40 000 people, residents of the province have once again been warned to be on alert as heavy rain continues to fall.
Disaster and emergency service officers are on high alert in Durban after the South African Weather Service issued a Level 10 weather warning due to heavy rains.
It is the highest weather warning possible.
KZN floods: 448 confirmed dead, 88 still missing a month after the disaster struck – Zikalala
The SA Weather Services has raised concerns over the vulnerability of some areas in Durban which were recently ravaged by floods, as more disruptive rain continues to fall in the metro.
The weather authority has warned that widespread showers and thundershowers are expected across KwaZulu-Natal because of a cut-off low associated with a surface high.
It said some weather stations have recorded significant rainfall amounts and that models indicate accumulations of more than 200mm in some places along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
In light of this, SAWS said: “Considering the vulnerability of some of these areas after recent events, severe impacts can be expected over the coastal areas and north-eastern parts of KZN today and tomorrow.”
The eThekwini Municipality has advised that the following roads will be closed as a precaution:
KZN saw eight new rain records on 12 April, with Margate doubling a high set 25 years ago
The municipality said water levels on the roads and rivers are expected to rise and has cautioned residents to take note of the following:
The municipality further warned motorists to drive carefully on the South Coast Road joining Blamey Road westbound to Montclair as there is a significant amount of water on the road.
There is water and mud on the M7 in both directions between the N3 and Hans Detman while water is filling up in Caversham Road where a temporary repair was made.
Stapleton and Eden roads in Pinetown have flooded, along with the Stapleton Road off ramp from the M13, so motorists are also urged to be careful.
Residents are further urged to exercise caution and adhere to the following:
Disaster and Emergency Services can be contacted on 031 361 0000.
A road in the Desainager area has washed away taking with it a vehicle.
The Medi Response said luckily, the driver of the car managed to escape.
Medi Response said its search and rescue crews, together with SAPS K9 SAR and CERT, are on scene.
The ambulance services company said its response operations control centre has received numerous calls for localised flooding, mostly in the Tongaat area.
It said many of its units are attending to calls. “We urge the community to stay off of the roads where possible. Please monitor waterways and water bodies within proximity to your home. Be vigilant and vacate an area, if you anticipate risk of rising waters. Our crews are available to assist as required,” the emergency services company said on Saturday evening.
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