Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal has received an estimated 200mm of rain since the early hours of Sunday morning.

As a result, roads are flooded and most rural homes destroyed.

Henning de Wet, Councillor in the City of uMhlathuze, said on social media platforms
“I have been informed that the City of uMhlathuze Call Centre is currently down. In the meantime, please use the following numbers for assistance relating to Disaster Management.”

Other flooded areas in KZN are Ingogo, between Newcastle and Volksrust.

The Lake St Lucia estuary mouth breached around 2 days ago, due to high rainfall in catchment areas during the past week and rising water levels in the lake.

Earlier on Sunday, 170 mm of rain was recorded in just 3 hours, in the King Cetshwayo District.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned against excessive rainfall in the KZN Province (Level 4), Mpumalanga and Southern parts of Limpopo.

Rainfall is most likely to end at around 11pm on Sunday evening.

On Friday, 10 January 2025, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing in support of the SearchAndRescue Unit, successfully led a rescue operation to save a 19-year-old woman trapped in the Nkomazi River in Tonga, Mpumalanga, following severe flooding. The Mpumalanga province has been experiencing heavy rainfall over the past few days, leading to dangerously high water levels.

Important numbers:
Fire and Rescue (Cell): 072 834 8128
Fire and Rescue: (035) 797-3911
Fire and Rescue: (035) 907-5723
Fire and Rescue: (035) 907-5722

Picture: Councillor Henning de Wet

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