President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state of national disaster in South Africa after a week of terrible floods which left at least 443 people dead in the Durban area on the east coast.
The head of state said in a televised address on April 18 said the cabinet met in special session last night and decided to declare a state of national disaster, referring to the situation as “a humanitarian disaster”.
Some 10,000 troops have been deployed to the affected areas to assist the overwhelmed relief effort.
The week-long downpour has led to deadly floods and landslides in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) where most of the casualties have so far been recorded.
According to the National Meteorological Institute, the rainfall has eased since the weekend and no further flooding is expected in the coming days.
Thousands of people have been displaced. Some areas have been without water and electricity since Monday. Water tankers are trying to bring in drinking water but roads and bridges are still cut off.
Homeless people are clearing the roads in exchange for a few coins from the few motorists.
Nearly 80% of the drinking water network is out of order, according to local authorities, who warned that it would take time to restore it.
For the first time on Monday, a water truck appeared in the neighbourhood of Philakahle Khumalo, a 30-year-old mother of two. She however says It was not enough, “People are desperate.
The army has deployed plumbers and electricians. Air support is being stepped up to bring in goods, and water purification systems and tents for evacuees will be set up.
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