More than 100 people evacuated from Umlazi after homes destroyed by inclement weather
Some residents say a section of the area has battled with mudslides and flooding since 2022.
JOHANNESBURG - More than 100 people have been evacuated in Umlazi, south of Durban, after their homes were destroyed by inclement weather, which caused floods.
Some residents said that a section of the area has battled with mudslides and flooding since 2022.
More than 50 homes were destroyed by unpredictable underground shifts in the area as a result of prolonged rainfall.
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The provincial human settlements department is in the process of evacuating at least 200 community members to temporary shelters, while the department works to secure permanent relocation.
Displaced Umlazi flood victims who were placed in temporary accommodation expressed gratitude at the department’s quick response to the situation.
So far, 144 people, including children, have been successfully moved and placed in the temporary units.
The department said it was now working to evacuate the remaining 72 people, some of whom were at work and others who found shelter with relatives.
A verification process is being used to place the families in alphabetical order in the units.
Disaster management teams are also working on demolishing the remains of the collapsed buildings and the removal of electrical cables to prevent re-occupation.