Severe floods and landslides in South Africa kill more than 300 people

The regional government said the disaster heavy rain and flood marked “one of the darkest moments in history” of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa.

Floods hit KwaZulu-Natal province, including the coastal city of Durban. The roads cracked and formed deep cracks. Many huge shipping containers fell into the muddy waters. A bridge near Durban was swept away by floodwaters, leaving people stranded on both sides of the river.

KwaZulu-Natal province has been experiencing extreme rainfall since April 11. In a statement posted on Facebook, the provincial government called it “one of the worst storms in the history of our country”. “Heavy rainfall has fallen on our land in the past few days, wreaking havoc unspeakably and causing massive damage to people’s lives and infrastructure.”

Loads of shipping containers were dumped during heavy rain and high winds in Durban. (Photo: CNN)

The provincial government later said it continues to work with the South African Government to ensure relief is provided to all affected residents.

Rescue teams have been working to evacuate people in areas experiencing “mudslideflooding and structural collapse of buildings and roads,” Sipho Hlomuka, a member of the Executive Council for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, said on Twitter. has affected power lines in many cities, technical teams have to work around the clock to restore the grid.”

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda told reporters that many flooded power stations inaccessible in the city of eThekwini are being severely affected.

Local authorities have asked private and religious organizations to assist with emergency relief operations, as well as the South African National Defense Force for air support, Kaunda said.

Roads and houses were severely damaged after heavy rain in Durban. (Photo: CNN)

The extreme weather comes just months after heavy rains and floods ravaged other parts of southern Africa, with three tropical cyclones and two tropical cyclones within just six weeks of the end of the month. 1. There have been 230 deaths reported and 1 million people affected.

Scientists have warned that the world must try to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial times, about 200 years ago, thereby preventing some effects. irreversible effects of climate change. The Earth has warmed by about 1.2°C.

In Southeast Africa, a 2°C warming is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall and flooding, and increase the intensity of intense tropical cyclones associated with heavy rainfall. than.

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