Officials, NGOs, celebs and ordinary folk muck in to mop up KZN
As the death toll from the KZN floods is expected to rise, emergency services are continuing to make their way through the debris and collapsed homes in the hopes of rescuing people.
Here is what has happened so far.
Deaths
Fifty-one people from KZN have been declared dead as a result of the floods caused by the torrential rain in the province. Emergency services comprising the police, IPSS medical care and metro search and rescue have been working in Malvern, Umlazi and Amanzimtoti, conducting searches and helping affected communities salvage their belongings.
Damage to property
Some houses in the Malvern informal settlement have been washed away, leaving many homeless and displaced. Videos and pictures of destroyed properties from Amanzimtoti, Chatsworth and Umlazi, in the south of Durban, have been making rounds on social media.
Almost died this morning... This is wat my room looks like Umlazi #DurbanRain pic.twitter.com/5DVPWIgbH4
— Mondli (@Mondli_VM) April 23, 2019
Road 720 in Chatsworth this evening, after #DurbanFloods pic.twitter.com/RRN1kgNjSs
— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) April 23, 2019
Donations
People used the power of Twitter to donate aid to affected communities to rebuild their homes. Celebrities and various organisations, including social media campaign Country Duty, have intervened to help KZN residents hit by the floods.
#CountryDuty Business PAYU
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) April 23, 2019
Bank: Nedbank
Account Number: 1183343302
Branch Code: 19700500
Reference: #DurbanFlood or #PSJFloods
Donating 150k to the families that lost their homes in Umlazi😭😭😭, its not enough so if you inspired by this post join me lets rebuild Ulmazi. #PrayForDurban #PrayForUmlazi❤️ pic.twitter.com/JJDXDcVLqI
— Prince Kaybee (@PrinceKaybee_SA) April 23, 2019
Hi there, we are working closely with @GiftoftheGivers to support the victims of the #DurbanFloods. Our thoughts go out to those affected and our soup trucks are on site to provide food and blankets. We #ActForChange to help those in need.
— Checkers (@CheckersSA) April 24, 2019
We want to commend rescue services at all levels of government for their rapid response. Resources have been mobilized and our teams on the ground have saved lives. More than 1000 people have been displaced and government is providing shelter and support to those in need. pic.twitter.com/Ve1L8CHK5A
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 24, 2019
Government intervention
President Cyril Ramaphosa made his way to KZN where he has been speaking to the victims of the flash floods in areas including Amanzimtoti and Umlazi. Ramaphosa said theTreasury would release funds to provide relief for those affected.
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