Extent of damage still being assessed, says Kaunda
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says they are still gathering
information on the extent of the damage caused by the torrential rains in the
city.
Speaking at the eThekwini Disaster Centre earlier, he said they were surprised by the magnitude of the storm.
"One of the fundamental factors that have influenced many incidents in many areas where we've received calls. They are the results of the landslides in those areas, so it has nothing to do with the drainage system but rather the moving soil. So if those houses are built on steep hills when water comes and washes away the entire infrastructure."
He says they've joined other emergency and disaster teams to help distressed communities.
"Our footprint is limited because there are many damages, looking at the number of incidents that have taken place in the municipality. They are trying their best to rescue the communities and save lives. What has become our priority is to save lives wherever possible."
Kaunda has urged residents to stay at home.
READ: Kaunda hopes SANDF will be in eThekwini by end of Tuesday
"We like to issue an alert to all community members to let us do our best to ensure that if there is no emergency, don't leave your residential areas. Remain at home Where there are low bridges next to streams or rivers, avoid these routes."
