Devastating flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal province in the eastern part of South Africa has been mounting since Monday, with the death toll approaching 400 and rising as emergency teams intensify their efforts. The disaster has prompted authorities to declare a regional emergency, unlocking special resources to help with the relief and recovery operations.
Rains provided a brief reprieve on Thursday, but authorities warn that more downpours are expected to begin again on Friday. Emergency workers are racing to shield thousands of affected residents, continue search operations for missing people, and protect critical infrastructure and homes from further damage.
Amid the crisis, the president expressed condolences to those impacted by severe floods that have damaged homes, businesses, and key public facilities. He visited affected communities yesterday alongside local authorities to assess the situation firsthand.
During the visit, the president described the situation as a daunting disaster and linked it to climate change as a contributing factor. He highlighted the need for coordinated action to mitigate the impact and support rebuilding efforts across the province.
The national government has classified the event as a catastrophe in KwaZulu-Natal, enabling access to additional resources to address the damage and accelerate relief operations.
Provisional figures released on Friday show the death toll continuing to rise, with authorities reporting hundreds of lives lost due to the storms and floods that swept through the province earlier in the week.
According to a provincial executive board statement cited by various outlets, tens of thousands of residents have been displaced or affected, with Durban and its surrounding areas bearing the brunt of the calamity. The persistence of bad weather conditions complicated rescue and aid delivery in several districts.
Given the challenges in reaching hard-to-access areas and the strain on materials and human resources, neighboring provinces have stepped in with emergency responders to speed up search and rescue operations and support the recovery work in the capital and other hard-hit towns.
Officials have refrained from confirming an official death toll on Thursday due to inaccessibility in some zones, but warned that the number of fatalities could climb as assessments continue and more victims are located.
Leaders in the region described the floods as an ecological and humanitarian crisis, underscoring the suspected ties to climate disruption and environmental degradation. The level of disaster has prompted calls for long-term resilience measures to better withstand future extreme weather events.
In the urban core of the province, the value of material damage remains under assessment. Local authorities put the potential losses in millions of rands as the scale of destruction across Durban and surrounding municipalities becomes clearer.
Electrical outages and water shortages disrupted daily life for many residents, with roads rendered impassable in several areas. The Easter holiday season loomed large as communities prepared to welcome visitors while troubled infrastructure struggled to cope with the demand.
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate or leave homes behind in informal settlements that were severely impacted by the floods. Schools in affected zones faced closures as officials worked to restore essential services and ensure safety for students and families.
In Durban’s outlying communities, residents recounted losses and reported feeling neglected as relief efforts lagged behind need. Protests erupted in some neighborhoods, and police dispersed several demonstrations to restore order and ensure access to aid channels.
Port operations in Durban, a major hub for regional trade and shipping, faced temporary disruptions as floods damaged infrastructure and halted cargo movements. Rail networks also sustained damage, complicating transportation and logistics across the region and beyond.
Factories in the area, including a major automotive plant in Durban, were forced to halt production as floodwaters inundated facilities. Authorities are pursuing assessments to determine the full extent of industrial losses and the timeline for resuming operations.
Security forces and the military have been deployed to safeguard communities and support relief efforts, with a focus on preventing looting and maintaining access to shelters and aid distributions.
Regional leaders have expressed solidarity across Africa, with neighboring nations offering messages of support and empathy for those affected by the floods. The crisis has drawn attention to the need for collective resilience in the face of climate-driven disasters and displacement.
As weather patterns remain volatile, officials emphasize the importance of preparedness, rapid response, and coordinated regional strategies to mitigate damage from future floods and protect vulnerable populations in KwaZulu-Natal.