KZN FLOODS: Six Bodies Discovered in Durban After Heavy Rains

(The Post News)– Six bodies were recovered in Lamontville and Chatsworth after heavy rainfall struck KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal regions, causing floods and landslides on Tuesday evening.

According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), three children died along with two males after being swept away into a canal in the early hours.

The MEC for COGTA, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families. “We are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our sincere sympathies to the bereaved families during this incredibly difficult time,” Buthelezi stated.

Among the six discovered bodies, as confirmed by the eThekwini municipality, are three minors from Lamontville, aged 5, 11, and 16, who were swept away into a drainage.

According to All City spokesperson Gugu Silana in an interview with News24, emergency services teams discovered the six bodies while searching throughout the night. “About 280 families in Lamontville were affected by Tuesday night’s heavy rainfall and will be relocated to temporary shelters,” she said.

Silana added that the flooding also affected areas on the outskirts of eThekwini, where incidents of localized flooding, overflow of low-water bridges, structural damage, and landslides were reported.

Regarding the ongoing weather conditions, Buthelezi appealed to residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter on higher ground and warned that the risk of flooding remains extremely high, especially in vulnerable areas.

The MEC advised motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving, as roads are slippery due to the incessant rainfall.