UPDATE: Heavy rains in Margate leave at least 5 people dead

DURBAN - The death toll following heavy rain and flooding in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) has risen to five.

The KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Department on Monday said this follows assessments in the areas severely affected by inclement weather.

A family of three lost their lives when the car they were travelling in was washed away over a bridge while the other person was struck by lightning.

Moreover, a child is among the deceased.

Disaster management teams have been deployed to the south coast where more disruptive rain and flooding is expected.

KZN COGTA spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi is urging residents to take precautionary measures.

"Currently officials in eThekwini metro along the south coast are on alert level five for disruptive rain that has been predicted by the South African Weather Service - so there is more rain expected. However, the rain has subsided for now allowing for mop-up operations.”

He has particularly called on motorists to cancel their trips.

There is slower than usual traffic in Margate and some roads have also been washed away, including buildings.

Emergency services are working on clearing blocked bridges for the water to flow out of the affected area.

Eyewitness News spotted over 10 cars that have been destroyed due to the flooding.

The KZN government has warned that more severe rains are set to hit parts of the province, particularly on the coastal line on Monday night.

COGTA MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi also visited the town to assess the damaged caused.

“We are sending condolences to the families of the people who have passed on, we are also sending our sympathies to those who have been rescued.”