Emergency response teams have recovered the bodies of three individuals who were washed away by floodwaters in Lamontville, Durban, following intense overnight rainfall. The search continues for three others who remain missing. The flooding, which has wreaked havoc across the south of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, has left roads submerged and communities cut off.
Rescue operations began in the early hours of the morning as emergency teams responded to multiple distress calls. Authorities believe that the six victims were inside an informal dwelling when the floodwaters surged through the area, sweeping them away. Search and rescue efforts have been hampered by treacherous conditions, with emergency teams battling fast-moving waters and debris.
Advanced Life Support paramedic Garrith Jamieson explained that while the search commenced immediately, dangerous conditions forced teams to suspend operations temporarily. “This incident occurred in the early hours of this morning, and paramedics, Durban Metro Police, Durban SAPS Search and Rescue teams, together with the eThekwini Fire Department, searched the surrounding area. However, due to some dangerous conditions, a joint decision was made that all units would return at first light to resume the search for the missing people,” he said.
The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance has identified several severely affected areas, including the N2 at Murchison, the Umbango and Nkongweni bridges near Margate, and Isipingo on the N2 south of Durban. Floodwaters have submerged key routes, leaving multiple roads impassable. Authorities have been forced to implement road closures in several locations to ensure public safety.
Emergency teams have been deployed across the region to assist stranded residents, conduct evacuations, and provide aid to affected communities. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to exercise extreme caution, particularly as weather forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.
With the search for the missing individuals ongoing, concerns remain over the impact of the floods on vulnerable communities living in low-lying and informal settlements. Many of these areas lack adequate drainage and infrastructure, making them particularly susceptible to extreme weather events.
The devastation in Durban highlights the increasing challenges posed by severe weather, with calls for improved flood prevention measures and better housing infrastructure growing louder. Meanwhile, emergency responders remain focused on their immediate priority—finding the missing and ensuring the safety of those affected by the disaster.
