KwaZulu-Natal Hit by Severe Floods, Homes and Infrastructure

Severe flooding and storms in KwaZulu-Natal have caused widespread destruction in both inland and coastal areas, particularly in eMadlangeni, Dannhauser, Newcastle, and the south coast from Margate to Port Shepstone. Over 150 homes were severely damaged, more than 50 destroyed, and infrastructure including roads and health facilities affected. Emergency teams, working with local communities and NGOs, are providing relief and assessing damages. Despite the extensive impact, no fatalities or injuries have been reported so far.

Disaster management teams have been urgently deployed across numerous regions of KwaZulu-Natal in response to severe flooding that has caused extensive destruction in both inland and coastal areas, the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has confirmed. The extreme weather, which included heavy rainfall and violent storms, hit the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Friday, with municipalities such as eMadlangeni, Dannhauser, and Newcastle identified as the worst affected, according to reports from the state broadcaster, SABC. The department highlighted that essential infrastructure, including key road networks and health facilities, suffered significant damage, further complicating the response efforts.
COGTA spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila confirmed that emergency response teams were already actively operating on the ground, coordinating closely with local community structures to assist residents affected by the floods. “Our teams are on the ground, fully engaged in relief operations,” Mzila said, emphasizing that the MEC for COGTA, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, had swiftly activated provincial disaster response mechanisms. These efforts are being carried out in collaboration with social partners, non-governmental organizations, and local community members to ensure that those impacted by the floods receive timely assistance and support to begin rebuilding their lives.
Early assessments of the damage have revealed a distressing situation. Over 150 homes have been reported as severely damaged, with more than 50 completely destroyed. Mzila noted that the storms were accompanied by unusually large hailstones, some as large as golf balls, which exacerbated the destruction and added to the trauma experienced by affected communities. “Communities are understandably shaken, but our teams are doing everything possible to provide immediate relief and ensure that essential aid reaches those in need,” he said.
In addition to the Midlands, disaster response teams have also been dispatched to the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality following flash floods along the KwaZulu-Natal south coast over the weekend. Torrential rain, beginning at approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday, December 21, caused widespread flooding along the coastal belt stretching from Margate through Oslo Beach to Port Shepstone. The department reported that the floods inflicted extensive damage on roads, commercial properties, and shopping centres, including the Shelly Centre. Numerous roads have been blocked due to fallen trees, while sinkholes have formed in multiple locations, particularly in Manaba, raising serious concerns about road safety and mobility in the affected areas.
Despite the widespread destruction, COGTA confirmed that, so far, no fatalities or injuries have been reported. Emergency teams continue to conduct thorough assessments of public and private infrastructure to determine the full scale of the damage. Efforts are ongoing to stabilise affected communities, restore essential services, and provide relief and support to displaced residents as the province grapples with the aftermath of this severe weather event.