Durban – Torrential rains in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend saw four areas break May downpour records for a 24-hour period, the South African Weather Services said on Tuesday.
Forecaster at SAWS, Venetia Phakula, said rainfall on Sunday in Mtunzini saw a 17-year-old record being smashed.
“Mtunzini recorded 165.4mm over a 24-hour period. The previous record for a 24-hour period was on May 16, 1999, when 76mm fell.”
The Merebank area in Durban South was second in the record stakes, breaking a 45-year-old record. According to Phakula, 126mm was recorded on 7 May. The previous record was 110.6mm on May 12, 1971.
Richards Bay also set a new record for a 24-hour period, with 71.6mm measured on Sunday. The previous record was 61.8mm on May 19, 2005.
King Shaka International Airport was placed fourth, recording 55mm on 7 May. The previous record over a 24-hour-period was set on May 11, 2013, when 33.4mm fell.
Phakula said the heavy rains were caused “by a surface high pressure that extended over KwaZulu-Natal, advecting moisture over the area together with upper disturbances”.
COGTA spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the province started mop-up operations on Monday.
“At least two people are confirmed dead and four are reported to still be missing. Police are still searching for all the missing people in the Chatsworth area; they were allegedly washed away while attempting to cross a low-lying river. We are still verifying reports from other parts of the province,” said Mabaso.
More than 400 people were displaced by the floods while more than 150 homes suffered structural damage, leading to community halls and other “strategic facilities” being opened to the public in affected areas.
African News Agency