Search on for missing teacher as KZN floods worsen

Disaster management teams in KwaZulu-Natal are frantically searching for a missing man after his vehicle was swept away in flooding on Sunday night.

KZN cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) spokesman Lennox Mabaso said the 48-year-old was believed to be a teacher in the Nquthu area in the far north of the province.

"KZN Disaster Management Authorities‚ Nquthu Fire and Rescue Services‚ and Babanago SAPS‚ have been activated to search for an adult male...who allegedly went missing after his vehicle was pulled into Nanakazi river‚ by strong currents during heavy rains last night. At this stage‚ not many details will be provided‚ however emergency personnel are continuing with their search‚" said Mabaso.

• KZN residents evacuated after storms hitHundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in KwaZulu-Natal after driving rain and strong winds battered large parts of the province.

This follows after three people were rushed to hospital when their vehicle was swept away by "raging flood waters" in the Mtuze area‚ also northern KZN‚ said KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesman Robert McKenzie.

Twenty-two people also had to be rescued on Sunday after they were trapped inside a bus that was submerged in flooding at Nseleni‚ outside Richards Bay.

In the Ugu district‚ in the south of KZN‚ there were reports of mud houses collapsing in the uMzumbe municipality (2 houses)‚ in uMdoni (6 houses)‚ in uMuziwabantu (2 houses)‚ Mabaso said.

Heavy rain has lashed the province since Friday‚ and is expected to fall for at least the next 24 hours.

Mabaso said disaster prevention and management teams have been sent across KZN in the wake of the inclement weather.

Mabaso said: "KZN disaster prevention and management teams are intervening across the province‚ following the extreme weather induced by the cold front which in some areas has led to localised flooding.

"At this stage there are no reported fatalities as a result of the bad weather across the province. Disaster teams continue to monitor what is happening in various areas."