Thursday, 8 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > KwaZulu-Natal floods: South Africa army to send 10,000 troops
World

KwaZulu-Natal floods: South Africa army to send 10,000 troops

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
KwaZulu-Natal floods: South Africa army to send 10,000 troops
SHARE
A member of the search and rescue team looks through debris in Dassenhoek near Durban, South Africa, April 17, 2022

A member of the search and rescue team looks through debris in Dassenhoek near Durban, South Africa, April 17, 2022

The South African military says it is deploying more than 10,000 troops to help with relief and rescue operations following the devastating floods that swept through parts of KwaZulu-Natal province last week.

More than 440 people have died, and the search is continuing for 63 people who are still missing.

Some of them were swept away by swollen rivers and mudslides.

The government has declared KwaZulu-Natal a disaster area.

Officials described the floods as some of the worst to ever hit the province.

KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala said that nearly 4,000 homes were destroyed and more than 8,000 were damaged, most in the coastal city of Durban and its surrounding areas.

A search and rescue team member uses a dog to search for bodies in Dassenhoek near Durban, South Africa, April 17, 2022A search and rescue team member uses a dog to search for bodies in Dassenhoek near Durban, South Africa, April 17, 2022

Sniffer dogs are being used to find bodies

Both the police and army were involved in the search effort, with six more bodies recovered on Sunday, local media reported.

One woman in Durban, Amanda Acheampong, said the bodies of four of her relatives had been recovered near a river bank while six were still missing.

“The neighbours’ house collapsed first, which then resulted in our family home collapsing and washing everyone into the river. Four bodies were discovered along the riverbank – my sister and her three grandkids. It’s horrible,” Ms Acheampong was quoted by South Africa’s News24 website as saying.

“We’re still looking for the remaining six. We are hopeful they might still be alive, but at this stage it doesn’t look good,” she added.

Another woman, Lethiwe Sibiya, said her niece had not yet been found.

“When the mudslide happened she was washed away. We don’t know where she is. We have tried to get police and their dogs but till today they have not come,” she said.

The remains of a home which was destroyed leaving two children dead after flooding are seen in Lindelani, Durban, South Africa, April 15, 2022The remains of a home which was destroyed leaving two children dead after flooding are seen in Lindelani, Durban, South Africa, April 15, 2022

Some houses were built on hills without solid foundations

No clean water or electricity

In a statement, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said its troops would bolster search and rescue operations, as well as assist in transporting aid to victims.

Army plumbers and electricians would also work in areas that have been without water and electricity for a week, it added.

Some communities are completely cut off because roads and bridges have collapsed.

“We don’t have electricity in many, many areas,” said Imtiaz Syed, the leader of the Active Citizens’ Coalition.

Nearly 300 schools and some health facilities have also been damaged.

A man walks around a damaged bridge caused by flooding in Umlazi near Durban, South Africa, April 16, 2022A man walks around a damaged bridge caused by flooding in Umlazi near Durban, South Africa, April 16, 2022

The government is under pressure to rebuild roads destroyed in the floods

Mr Zikalala said that people needed to stop building homes along river banks.

“Many still remain precariously perched on the edge of the river. In reality, no building should ever have been allowed to be erected at such a location,” he said.

During a visit to flood-affected areas last week, South Africa’s President Cyril Rampahosa said the government would “spare no expense” to rebuild the infrastructure and assist all affected families.

Destruction at a church in Clermont on April 13, 2022 in Durban, South AfricaDestruction at a church in Clermont on April 13, 2022 in Durban, South Africa

Destruction at a church in Clermont on April 13, 2022 in Durban, South Africa

Weather experts have said that climate change may be contributing to changing patterns and making such extreme events more frequent.

The rainfall has since eased but the amount of rain which fell last Monday was equal to about 75% of South Africa’s average annual precipitation.

The weather system which triggered the floods saw more than 300mm of rainfall being dumped over a 24-hour period on 11 April – far more than previous serious floods.

In 2019, 165mm fell on in April and 108mm was recorded in October 2017.

You may also be interested in:

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article NFTE Awards Over K to Innovation Challenge Winners NFTE Awards Over $16K to Innovation Challenge Winners
Next Article Tom Hanks reunites with Wilson from ‘Cast Away’ to throw out an unforgettable 1st pitch Tom Hanks reunites with Wilson from ‘Cast Away’ to throw out an unforgettable 1st pitch

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ Film and Gaming Rights Up for Sale (EXCLUSIVE)

Hollywood is about to stampede into Middle Earth. An array of movie, merchandising, gaming and…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Tish Cyrus Fuels Extra Household Drama, Unfollows Daughter Miley on Instagram

Miley Cyrus Dropped From Mother's IG ... Is Billy Ray the Wrecking Ball?!? Printed Could…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Ryan Kelley Is Playing Up the Jan. 6 Charges Against Him

Ever since Ryan Kelley, a Republican candidate for governor in Michigan, was charged last month…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

12 women foreign ministers condemn Iran’s crackdown

Women foreign ministers from a dozen nations led by Canada's Melanie Joly on Wednesday jointly…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Conclave reside: black smoke emerges from chimney as cardinals fail to agree on new pope
World

Conclave reside: black smoke emerges from chimney as cardinals fail to agree on new pope

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Meals requirements have been ‘red line’ in UK-US commerce talks, ministers say, as deal anticipated to be introduced – UK politics reside
World

Meals requirements have been ‘red line’ in UK-US commerce talks, ministers say, as deal anticipated to be introduced – UK politics reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump confirms ‘full and comprehensive’ commerce take care of UK – US politics dwell
World

Trump confirms ‘full and comprehensive’ commerce take care of UK – US politics dwell

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
VE Day dwell: ceremonies to happen throughout UK and Europe to mark eightieth anniversary of Victory in Europe
World

VE Day dwell: ceremonies to happen throughout UK and Europe to mark eightieth anniversary of Victory in Europe

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?