The death toll from the devastating floods and mudslides in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday surpassed 250, with fears more bodies could be found as the mop-up and rescue operations continue.
The KwaZulu-Natal health department said 253 people had perished in floods in the last two days.
Funeral parlors have already raised the alarm, saying they will struggle to handle the high number of bodies recovered.
Many bodies remain unidentified and will need to be stored at mortuaries.
There were heartbreaking stories of people being swept away by rushing waters and whole houses sinking into the ground with occupants inside.
Some people drowned in their cars that had become completely submerged in water while driving along flooded roads.
Authorities have requested that, where possible, all freight movements (trucks) towards the Port of Durban are suspended/withheld until the situation improves.
Although Eskom has exempted affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal from load-shedding, businesses, schooling, and transport operations have been disrupted.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday visited flood-stricken areas to offer support to affected communities and assess the response of government and civil society to this critical situation.
Survivors had an opportunity to speak directly to the president about their ordeal brought on by incessant rains and flooding.
Ramaphosa promised that the government would assist those affected by the floods.
He said the process to declare a state of disaster in the province had been initiated.
The state of disaster will enable authorities to disburse necessary funds and other resources much quicker.
“This is a tragic toll of the force of nature and this situation calls for an effective response by government in partnership with communities,” Ramaphosa said on Tuesday before his visit,
“This situation calls on us to come together as a nation and offer assistance to those who desperately need our care and support.”
His visit to KwaZulu-Natal follows meetings Tuesday evening of the National Disaster Management Centre and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster Management.
On Wednesday, the president was briefed by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, Metro Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and officials on the extent of flood damage and the response by government entities.
Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Police Minister General Bheki Cele.
Although the rains appeared to have subsided on Wednesday, the SA Weather Service warned of a wet Easter weekend,
