DURBAN - EThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was expected to conduct an assessment of the uMdloti Beach area this afternoon to assess the damage to water and road infrastructure after heavy rains on Saturday and into Sunday caused severe damage.
This comes after the area was severely affected during the April floods.
In a statement, the city said Kaunda would visit the uMdloti Water Treatment Works in uMdloti Beach at 4pm today.
“The Umdloti water treatment works was washed away and the access road to the area was closed off due to flooding,” said the city.
On Saturday night, the Medi Responses search and rescue unit, together with SAPS Search and Rescue (SAR), SAPS divers and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), successfully evacuated residents from a compromised building in the area.
“The structure was deemed compromised after the foundation was seemingly undermined by large volumes of water,” said Medi Response spokesperson Leon Fourie.
Fourie added that search and rescue members also helped three people to safety last night after the vehicle that they were travelling in became surrounded by rising waters.
In an update on Sunday, Fourie said Medi Response’s search and rescue unit, together with SAPS SAR, SAPS divers and the NSRI, were busy throughout the night and day responding to various incidents, mostly in the uMdloti area.
“Teams have successfully rescued and relocated 14 persons a short while ago, who were stuck inside a compromised building. Crews remain in the area, attending to multiple calls. Please exercise caution as rain persists,” said Fourie.
EThekwini Municipality urged residents to be cautious or avoid the following areas in Umdloti
- Bellamont Road and surrounding areas due to severe flood damage and collapse of buildings
- Main Road leading to Umdloti beach is damaged, only the left lane going down towards the beach is accessible and has become a stop and go.
