As heavy rains continue to drench Durban, motorists are now facing an additional danger—exposed and submerged manholes turning already treacherous roads into hazardous traps.
Marshall Security spokesperson Andrea Mathios says the situation has become critical, with drivers unable to distinguish between the road and the pavement due to the flooding.
“Motorists are hitting these open manholes—some have even driven straight into them. I personally witnessed a vehicle plunge into one,” said Mathios, who has been monitoring key routes across the city alongside his team.
In addition to the manhole hazard, rising river levels in the Avoca area are raising further alarm. “The river is steadily rising and is expected to peak in the next two to three hours. Traffic, meanwhile, is in absolute chaos,” Mathios added.
Traffic lights are reportedly out on North Coast Road, contributing to a major traffic backlog stretching roughly three kilometres—from the Connaught Bridge all the way to Blackburn Road.
“Trying to manage this must be a nightmare for Metro Police. The roads are gridlocked, and tensions are running high,” he said.
Mathios also raised concerns about the city's stormwater infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for regular maintenance.
“You can visibly see that the stormwater drains are completely blocked. If we don’t start clearing these systems, we’re going to continue facing the same crisis over and over again. The M19 was an absolute nightmare this morning—completely impassable.”
With more rainfall predicted, emergency services continue to urge motorists to remain cautious and avoid flooded areas where possible.