South Africa, hit by unprecedented deadly floods last month, is again being hit by severe weather which has already displaced around 500 people on the east coast, authorities said on Sunday.
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No casualties have been reported so far but significant destruction has already been observed, mainly in the metropolitan area of Durban, capital of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.
“As information reaches us, a disturbing picture is emergingKZN Chief Minister Sihle Zikalala told a press conference.
Torrential rains had killed nearly 450 people in late April in floods and landslides. Survivors had remained ten days without access to drinking water. Repairs were still in progress after massive destruction estimated at several hundred million euros.
These new floods again affected infrastructure, roads, bridges and damaged buildings. “Some areas are inaccessible and have become islands“said Mr. Zikalala.
The National Institute of Meteorology had raised the alert to the maximum level the day before. The population was called upon to stay at home.
Some 82 reception centers have been opened. Several villages for the elderly have already been evacuated.
The police, firefighters and rescue teams are mobilized. The army was called in as reinforcements.
The Durban metropolitan area has 3.9 million inhabitants. Open to the Indian Ocean, its port is one of Africa’s main maritime terminals.
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The rains should continue until Monday, according to forecasts. South Africa is generally spared the storms that regularly hit its neighbors such as Mozambique or Madagascar.