WATCH: Umdloti community band together in a time of severe weather crisis
The severe weather conditions have resulted in the community coming together...
Catastrophe struck Umdloti residents when they woke up to the severe effects that the #DurbanWeather has had on their area.
With the M4 having to be closed, mud slides and mayhem were found on the well-known Bellamont Road, as well as Isikulu.
Listen to Vicky Schnetler, the Umdloti precinct manager, tell all about the events that unfolded...
READ: WARNING: Severe KZN weather causing emergencies, flooding
Vicky explains how the "flooding, landslides, and shifting of land" has resulted in the unforeseen closure of certain roads. The Isikulu building has been completely devoured by sand and cars are trapped in the parking lot.
Due to vigilant community communication via WhatsApp groups, the residents were able to band together and assess the damage. The plan is to secure Bellamont Road and make their way to Isikulu.
The community jumped right in to do all that they can to help their fellow residents and did not wait for emergency services.
JUST IN: Catastrophic landslide effects in Umdloti this morning due to severe weather conditions pic.twitter.com/SbQRpAONbS
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 11, 2022
Corneilia Swartz, an Umdloti resident, shared with us how the first incident occurred.
At 8 am a car got stuck as they returned from collecting their worker. What was only water turned into a mud slide down the embankment. The soil is just too saturated to drain the water by now after a weekend of rain. This paired with years of neglect from the municipality caused the water to move the embankment.
She further explains how Salta development immediately sent help by sending a TLB.
"Marshall security were monitoring the site and the community came together under the continued downpour to recover the ladies and then the Jeep. Our resident builder, Niel Rens, along with a team of handymen, were filling sandbags from the beach to redirect the water and then mud filling the adjacent house," Cornelia reveals.
It was reported that the Umdloti community banded together this morning and packed hundreds of sandbags to help divert the water and sand out of the home in Bellamont Road, which has been running down the bank and into the complex below.
Mudslides and mayhem in Umdloti captured by one of the residents... #durbanweather pic.twitter.com/snLWI3fdr2
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 11, 2022
According to residents, no one in particular can be blamed.
It’s the combined circumstance of municipal neglect and developments happening in the area, together with a downpour that’s unheard of here.
The community is continuing with their best efforts while the rain progresses and situation evolves.
Watch some of the conditions these residents have to face:
Umdloti community works together to assist in the effects of the #durbanweather with heavy downpour and landslides
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 11, 2022
*language warning* pic.twitter.com/kilzMloI1t
Marshall securities involvement in the #durbanweather issues in Umdloti this morning pic.twitter.com/5XqKEaj3fj
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 11, 2022
Mudslide through Umdloti home pic.twitter.com/iKjmb7j5Fm
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 11, 2022
We wish the Umdloti community all the best in these coming few days. We are certain that with this level of unity and community involvement that they will be able to tackle the situation.
Thank you to everyone who has played a role in ensuring the safety of others within the community.
Stay tuned for more updates..
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Image courtesy of uMdloti locals