WATCH: KZN storm damage causes flooding, mudslides, and power outages - IOL

A mudslide caused damage to cars and houses in Mariannhill.

Disaster teams are on high alert, with roving teams deployed to speed up interventions in areas hit by flooding, mudslides, and power outages across the province.

KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said in a statement that in Mariannhill, three cars and a five-bedroom house have been swept away in a mudslide triggered by a cut-off-low pressure system.

He said his office, together with Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane, and Mayor Cyril Xaba, have mandated teams to work with disaster teams and other government departments to speed up interventions.

“Teams will explore the provision of alternative temporary emergency accommodation for the affected families,” he added.

Mudslides caused damages to houses in Mariannhill.

In a statement, eThekwini Municipality said the City’s Disaster Management and Emergency Services Directorates remain on high alert following continuous heavy downpours that began yesterday across the municipal region.

“This morning, eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services responded to an incident in Mariannhill, near Pinetown, where localised mudslides caused approximately three houses to collapse.

“Emergency responders immediately secured and cleared the affected site.

“The municipality can confirm that no fatalities, injuries, or entrapments were reported during the incident, with 14 residents affected thus far.

“To mitigate wider flooding risks across vulnerable areas, disaster management teams, in coordination with municipal technical units, have opened the Isipingo Estuary mouth to relieve water build-up and reduce risk to surrounding communities.”

Roads are affected by fallen objects, rocks, debris, and flooding.

Municipal Disaster Management teams are on the ground conducting detailed assessments and coordinating immediate humanitarian and relief support for the affected families.

Members of the public are urged to remain cautious as saturated ground conditions heighten the risk of further mudslides and localised flooding.

Motorists are advised to keep headlights on, reduce speed, and strictly avoid driving across flooded roads or low-lying bridges.

The City has also deployed extra teams to tackle widespread power outages.

Additional technical teams have been deployed to affected areas to assist with repairs and expedite the restoration of power supply.

“The extensive number of faults has resulted in prolonged outages in certain areas as municipal teams work systematically through the backlog. 

“Residents are urged to exercise patience while repair and restoration work is carried out as safely as possible under the prevailing weather conditions.”

Emergency situations and storm-related infrastructure damage can be reported to the Municipality's Central Disaster Call Centre on 031 361 0000.