Severe Weather in KwaZulu-Natal Claims 22 Lives and Causes Extensive Damage
Severe weather in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, caused 22 deaths and over 3.1 billion rand in damages. A National State of Disaster has been declared to facilitate coordinated response efforts. Authorities are committed to supporting affected communities and improving infrastructure resilience amid ongoing weather concerns.
In late February, severe weather in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, led to a tragic loss of 22 lives and extensive property damage, with estimates of 3.1 billion rand (approximately 170 million U.S. dollars) in losses. This information was reported by a provincial government official leading to the declaration of a National State of Disaster by the National Disaster Management Center (NDMC).
Thulasizwe Buthelezi, a member of the executive council for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, highlighted the far-reaching effects of these weather events, which disrupted essential services such as water and electricity, while causing significant damage to both public infrastructure and private property.
In response, Buthelezi assured the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal that their government is committed to collaborating with the NDMC and municipalities to coordinate effective response and recovery efforts. They intend to support affected communities significantly and strive to rebuild more resilient infrastructure.
The National State of Disaster declaration aims to mobilize resources and implement comprehensive support measures to alleviate the adverse effects of this calamity. Residents are also encouraged to remain vigilant and heed warnings from the South African Weather Service, as additional rainfall is anticipated in the upcoming week.
The severe weather events in KwaZulu-Natal have resulted in significant casualties and financial losses, alongside considerable disruption to essential services. The declaration of a National State of Disaster is a critical step towards mobilizing efforts for recovery and support. Authorities remain dedicated to rebuilding efforts and protecting community welfare as further weather challenges loom.
Original Source: news.az
