Three people are missing and several families have been left destitute after heavy rains swept through parts of the uMshwathi Municipality near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The severe weather follows an orange Level 5 thunderstorm warning issued by the South African Weather Service.
Floodwaters surged through homes on Sunday afternoon, leaving widespread destruction in their wake and prompting an urgent disaster response.
KZN Cooperative Governance spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has deployed disaster management teams to the affected communities.
“This follows a tragic incident where three people are believed to have been swept away during a severe flooding incident,” Mzila said. “Disaster management teams are on site and are working around the clock to locate the three missing people.”
Authorities say assessments are underway as residents begin counting the cost of the storm. Emergency teams remain in the area as search and rescue operations continue.