KZN inclement weather death toll reaches 20
With lives already lost in the KZN Province, Minister Dlamini Zuma conveyed heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Following the heavy rainfall and storms this week, especially in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minster, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said the government across all spheres is providing a coordinated response to the devastation meted on communities.
As the political head responsible for disaster management in the country, the CoGTA Minister assured the country that government was doing everything possible to assist with humanitarian measures following large scale damage after some roads were washed away, some bridges and houses were damaged or collapsed under strain from the unrelenting rains that leads to flooding in some areas.
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According to the Minister's office, the death toll was sitting on twenty (20) as of Friday, with a number of injuries.
"Both casualties from the tornado at New Hanover (uMshwathi Local Municipality) are in addition to 14 other confirmed casualties since 25 October when the current bad weather spell began," said the Minister's office in a statement.
With lives already lost in the KZN Province, Minister Dlamini Zuma conveyed heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones
and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
"Government will do everything it can to avoid further loss of life as a result of floods and urges everyone to cooperate with disaster management personnel as they respond to disaster situations," said the Ministry.
Dlamini-Zuma's office called for heightened preparedness measures and for communities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.
"Due to the heavy rains forecast for this weekend, we urge communities, particularly those in low-lying areas and those near rivers, to be vigilant and move to higher ground in the case of floods. We also ask citizens not to take unnecessary risks and minimise movements, whilst avoiding low lying areas and flood-lines", emphasised Minister Dlamini Zuma.