Durban -The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs(Cogta) said disaster management teams were dispatched to assess damage in the Osizweni area under the Newcastle Local Municipality following heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
MEC Sihle Zikalala said Disaster Management teams are responding to several incidents in the Osizweni area under the Newcastle Local Municipality.
This follows the heavy rains that affected the areas on Saturday, he said.
“Disaster Management teams are currently conducting assessments of the extent of damage in the area.
“The provincial disaster management centre continues to liaise with all municipalities following the heavy rains that affected parts of the province during the weekend.”
Zikalala urged residents to continue to be vigilant as the province continues to experience inclement weather conditions.
Earlier this month Zikalala joined uMgungundlovu District and uMsunduzi Local Municipality, in mop-up operations following heavy rains in Ward 23, Peace Valley which caused the Msunduzi river to burst its banks and flood surrounding communities.
Zikalala said that the community of Peace Valley bore the brunt of the heavy rains.
“Several households were submerged in water, we wish to commend all stakeholders for their speedy response in the evacuation of the 35 families that were affected by the flooding to a nearby shelter.”
Zikalala said the province is prone to weather-related incidents, especially during the spring and summer seasons.
“We all share a responsibility in ensuring that we heed the weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service so that we can protect ourselves and our families. We also strongly believe that it is now time for households located on riverbanks to consider relocating. Weather patterns have changed drastically and flooding is becoming more frequent and severe.”