South Africa – Deadly Flash Floods in KwaZulu-Natal

The government of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa reports that thunderstorms have caused widespread damage in the province, and one person has died in flash floods.

KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said it has dispatched disaster management teams to several areas in the province following severe thunderstorms 22 to 23 February, 2020. The storms uprooted trees, damaged roofs and caused localised flooding in multiple locations across the province.

Cogta said Disaster Management teams responded to a number of incidents in Umuziwabantu, Umgeni, Ndwedwe, Umvoti, Kokstad, Umzumbe, Newcastle, Ubuhlebezwe and Umzimkhulu municipalities.

At least one person has died as a result of flooding. Cogta said “it received confirmation of a fatal incident that took place in the Nonoti area where a vehicle was washed off a low-lying bridge on the MR01. In the incident three occupants, including a child, managed to escape to higher ground. Unfortunately, a 28-year-old female lost her footing and got caught in the strong flowing water and was swept away. Her body was found downstream by search and rescue units.”