Early estimates indicate that around 32 people died and nine were injured in the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the ministry for co-operative governance and traditional affairs said on Wednesday.
The ministry in a statement said the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) was still gathering information on the full extent of the flood damage.
” … it will not be possible to give accurate verified figures in relation to lives that have been lost or the full extent of the infrastructure damage at this stage,” the ministry said.
Initial, preliminary data — yet to be verified — showed an estimated 12 people died in Gauteng and between 400 and 500 informal and formal homes were damaged.
The worst affected areas were Johannesburg and Tshwane.
In KwaZulu-Natal preliminary data indicated that around 20 people died and nine others were seriously injured.
“Preliminary reports further indicate that a total of 515 people have been affected by the incidents in KZN.
Heavy storms and incessant rains
“In KZN an estimated 200 households have been affected by the heavy storms and incessant rains, which have covered a widespread area including Umgungundlovu, Umzinyathi, Ugu, eThekwini Metro, Sisonke, Umkhanyakude and Uthungulu.”
The ministry said an exact determination of the extent of the damages would be made after a full “assessment and verification” — which had not yet been concluded.
“All the affected provinces and municipalities have informed us they are still in the process of assessing the full extent of the damage, which will include the final determination of the number of lives lost as well as houses and infrastructure damage.”
The centre would submit reports to National Treasury for help. It was however not yet possible to determine an accurate and final figure of the damage done to infrastructure and houses.
Local disaster management structures and their provincial counterparts were helping those affected with alternative accommodation, food parcels and blankets.
“People are encouraged to listen to the local media continuously for updated emergency information. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly without warning so people staying in flood-prone areas must be prepared to act immediately.”
The NDMC and the South African Weather Service were monitoring the situation. Disaster management structures in the various provinces who were vulnerable to floods had been warned of the possibility of further heavy rain, the ministry said.
Disaster management was working with the police and the defence force, government departments and civil society to deal with the flooding.
“In case of an evacuation, people must leave affected areas early enough to avoid being marooned by flooded roads. Delaying may allow all escaping routes to be blocked.”
In the Northern Cape, the affected areas are the Siyancuma municipality, the Siyanda district municipality, the Kai Gariep municipal area, the Sol Plaatjie district, Frances Baard municipality, Dikgatlong local municipality and the Magareng local municipality.
In Limpopo sporadic flooding was reported. — Sapa