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Homes Swept Away and Roads Collapse as Fierce Storm Pounds uMshwathi
KwaZulu-Natal has once again woken up to scenes that feel painfully familiar. After a weekend of relentless downpours, the uMshwathi Local Municipality has been left battered by rising water, collapsed roads, and widespread damage that forced families to leave their homes for safety. What happened this weekend is a reminder of how quickly the weather in the province can shift from comforting summer rain to a full-scale emergency that isolates entire communities.
A Weekend Storm that Turned into a Crisis
The rainfall arrived fast and with an intensity that overwhelmed parts of the municipality. By Saturday evening, areas were already cut off. By Sunday morning, roads had buckled or disappeared beneath muddy torrents. Homes were flooded or swept apart. Bridges that usually carry schoolchildren, workers, and taxis were submerged.
The provincial government responded by sending roving assessment teams from Human Settlements as distress calls poured in from both communities and stranded motorists. Their early reports confirmed what residents had already been sharing on social media: the damage is widespread, and families need urgent support.
Government Steps In with Emergency Housing Plans
KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma announced he would be on the ground first thing on Monday, alongside Mayor Mandla Zondi of uMshwathi. The visit marks the start of a coordinated emergency response that will include short-term housing solutions for displaced families.
Duma has already indicated that he will be engaging Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane for a stronger national intervention. For many residents who lost everything overnight, the hope is that temporary housing will not take long to materialise.
Roads Washed Away and Traffic Risks Rise
With major routes damaged, the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate has been mobilised to manage the rapidly shifting traffic situation. Teams have been deployed to monitor major roads, enforce closures, and work closely with the N3 Toll Concession and local traffic departments.
Durban plays a vital role in the country’s freight network, which means truck movement cannot be left to chance. Authorities have now activated a controlled escort plan for heavy vehicles to prevent congestion and reduce the risk of accidents along the N3 and N2 corridors.
Communities Urged to Stay Safe and Delay Travel
As the province assesses the full extent of the disaster, Duma has appealed to the public to take weather alerts seriously and to postpone unnecessary travel. His message is simple: staying off the roads could save lives.
It is a sentiment that resonates deeply in KZN, a province that has lived through several devastating floods over the past decade. Many residents say the scars of past storms have made the region more cautious, but this weekend’s destruction is a sobering reminder that preparedness remains essential.
A Province on Alert Once Again
KZN is no stranger to extreme weather events, yet each new incident brings its own heartbreak. Families are displaced, infrastructure collapses, and communities face long recovery periods.
The coming week will reveal the true scale of the damage in uMshwathi. For now, authorities continue monitoring, residents keep watch on rising water levels, and the hope is that the rain gives the province enough time to breathe before the next system arrives.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Pexels
