The South African Weather Service has raised the alert level from 2 to 6 for eThekwini and seven other municipalities. Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal have claimed another victim, as the body of a 21-year-old woman was recovered from a river in lower Molweni on Saturday morning.
Search and Rescue teams were dispatched to retrieve the young woman’s body after she was swept away by the floodwaters.
This tragic incident comes just a day after the body of a 54-year-old woman was found following a separate flood-related accident.
The woman’s car was swept off the Stapleton Road bridge in Pinetown while she was attempting to cross a low-lying bridge.
IOL A woman in her 50s has tragically died after her car was swept off a bridge in Pinetown, prompting emergency services to respond to the scene. Picture: ALS Paramedics
Image: Picture: ALS Paramedics
The ongoing severe weather conditions prompted the South African Weather Service to upgrade its warning for eThekwini from level 2 to level 6 on Thursday.
This higher alert level indicates a significant risk of severe flooding and widespread damage.
The warning was in effect from midnight on Thursday, March 13, until midnight on Friday, March 14.
The affected municipalities include eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mkhambathini, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, uMuziwabantu, and Umzumbe.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid crossing bridges or low-lying areas prone to flooding.
The City’s Disaster and Emergency Unit remains on high alert as emergency personnel continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance where needed.
Residents are strongly advised to take necessary precautions to prevent injury and loss of life during this critical period.
Motorists are also being cautioned to stay updated with traffic reports and use alternative routes where possible to avoid dangerous flood-prone areas.
As KwaZulu-Natal battles the destructive impact of these floods, authorities continue to urge communities to prioritise safety and adhere to official warnings.
The loss of lives in these tragic events underscores the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of extreme weather conditions.
IOL News
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