City responds to flooding incidents as six fatalities are confirmed
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Date: 2025-02-26 12:53:07

City responds to flooding incidents as six fatalities are confirmed

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 FEBRUARY 2025
 
CITY RESPONDS TO FLOODING INCIDENTS AS SIX FATALITIES ARE CONFIRMED
 
EThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba is leading a delegation to visit families that were affected by heavy rain that claimed the lives of six people.
 
The Municipality's Disaster and Emergency Services Unit swiftly responded to a rainstorm incident that occurred last night, 25 February, resulting in six fatalities in Lamontville and Chatsworth, south of Durban.
 
The severe weather experienced in the City led to two adults, a 56-year-old female and a 60-year-old female, being washed away. Three children, aged 5, 11 and 16 from Lamontville also sadly perished. The sixth victim is from Chatsworth.
 
Emergency services teams worked tirelessly throughout the night searching for the missing people who were washed away in the floods.
 
Unfortunately, they were later discovered and confirmed dead.
 
The flooding also affected other areas on the outskirts of eThekwini, where incidents of localised flooding, overflow of low-water bridges, collapse of structures, mudslides, and fallen trees were reported.
 
About 280 families in Lamontville were affected by last night’s heavy rains and will be relocated to temporary shelters as mop-up operations continue.
 
The South African Police Service, the City’s Emergency Services, Pathology, and Emergency Medical Services are currently on-site attending to the incidents. Disaster Management, Emergency Rescue teams, and other Municipal departments are working together to assess the impact of the floods.
 
Several beaches have been affected by the severe flooding and are temporarily closed until further notice. The flooding, which resulted in damage to infrastructure, muddy water, and a large amount of debris spilling into the sea, has led to the temporary closure of some eThekwini beaches.
 
The public will be notified when the affected beaches reopen.
 
The South African Weather Service level 2 weather warning is in place until 6pm this evening.
 
Motorists are advised to follow traffic reports and use alternative routes.
 
Further updates will be communicated as soon as information becomes available.
 
The Municipality appeals to the public to report any emergencies on 031 361 0000.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communication Unit.