KZN COGTA confirms 7 bodies recovered after floods

JOHANNESBURG - The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance Department confirmed that rescue teams have recovered the bodies of seven people who were swept away by flood waters.

Five bodies that washed up in a canal in Lamontville, south of Durban, were recovered and the bodies of two women were found ashore at two separate locations in Durban.

The South African Weather Service has issued a level two weather warning for the province - indicating the possibility of further rainfall throughout the day.

Heavy rainfall has impacted large portions of the province, causing significant damage and flooding.

Search and rescue teams have been working around the clock in the hope of finding survivors.

READ: Bodies of 5 people swept away in floods recovered - KZN COGTA

So far authorities have recovered seven bodies- two adult males, two females and three children.

The department’s Senzelwe Mzila said mop-up operations will begin on Wednesday afternoon.

"The MEC will this afternoon visit affected areas where he will lead mop-up operations. Currently, the province has got a level two weather warning which has been issued by the weather service for areas that are along the coast."

Authorities said they’ve also received numerous calls about rising flood waters in the Ugu district and Ray Nkonyeni Municipality on KZN's south coast.

"Ugu Disaster Management and Ray Nknoyeni Municipality fire and rescue services have been sent out to conduct evacuations and provide assistance to affected communities."

Residents in the province have been urged to take extreme caution and avoid travelling in any of the affected areas.