KZN floods: Army to assist, power lines knocked down as storms wreak havoc

The Department of Cooperative Governance has the SANDF has teamed up with disaster management officials to provide aerial support. 

The department's Senzelwe Mzila says they worked throughout the night.  

READ: LOOK: KZN residents asked to stay home amid storms, flooding

He says residents in communities ravaged by the storm were evacuated from their homes. 

Public facilities like community halls have been made available for those seeking shelter. 

"Disaster management teams have been evacuating people in areas that have experienced mudslides, flooding, and structural collapses of buildings and roads."

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"The heavy rains have affected power lines in many municipalities with technical teams working around the clock to restore power. 

"Residents in areas that are on higher ground are urged to open up their homes for their neighbours who are stranded as a result of the flooding caused by the heavy rains. Many roads are blocked and residents are requested to avoid unnecessary journeys."

Durban and KZN's south-eastern parts have been put under orange alert level 8 by the South African Weather Service. 

Mzila warns a number of areas will remain at an elevated risk for severe weather tomorrow. 

NOW READ: SA Weather Service warns of more torrential rain in KZN

"The inclement weather conditions are expected to continue today and the South African Weather Service has warned of significant rainfall in eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Mkhambathini, Richmond, Msunduzi, uBuhlebezwe, uMlalazi, uMngeni, uMshwathi, Umuziwabantu, uMvoti, Umzimkhulu, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Umzumbe municipalities. 

"This increases the risk of flooding getting worse in all these areas." 

Meanwhile, eThekwini municipal officials will be visiting the affected areas today to assess the extent of the damage.