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State of disaster declared in KZN

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A STATE  of disaster has been declared in KwaZulu-Natal following the deadly floods that hit the province, claiming more than 300 lives.

The declaration was made on Thursday 14 April by  President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala welcomed the declaration and  expressed gratitude to the president  for authorising the request by provincial government to declare a state of disaster after the deadly damage caused by severe storms throughout the province over the past few days.

This follows a visit to KZN by Ramaphosa on Wednesday 14 April, to see the massive destruction caused by heavy rain that fell in most of the province and left a deadly trail, with at least over 300 dead so far, and billions of rands worth of destruction to critical infrastructure.

Ramaphosa was accompanied by Zikalala, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and deputy mayor Philani Mavundla, Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Police Minister Bheki Cele, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele and MECs at visits to Clermont, Mzinyathi, Amawoti, Ntuzuma and Lindelani to examine the extent of the damage and to offer much-needed comfort and support to bereaved families.  

They witnessed where homes had been washed away, church roofs had collapsed on top of children, bridges and roads had been damaged, cutting off entire villages and kasis. 

Water and electricity supply have also been badly affected in most areas of the province and over 200 schools have been damaged.

Zikalala said: “The visit by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa to these storm-damaged areas has been a welcome boost to our call for the province to be declared a state of disaster. We are pleased the President was able to take the whole day to come witness for himself the havoc unleashed by the recent heavy rain.” 

He said the Provincial Executive Council had convened another special meeting last night where it resolved to intensify efforts to respond to disaster incidents.

On Thursday morning, all MECs visited the various districts affected and led profiling of all affected families, quantifying the damage to all those affected and have ensured immediate interventions through disaster management officials.

Zikalala said provincial government was also mobilising resources to speed up recovery of missing people.

"Today Eskom and municipalities will give a report on efforts to restore water and electricity in all affected areas. Cabinet is aware interventions are hampered by disrupted infrastructure networks, but has directed that no effort must be spared in reaching the affected people." 

He said provincial povernment has tried to access all affected areas to locate missing families and will also be facilitating counselling to victims.

"A plan for a provincial prayer day and memorial services for victims including various support interventions to bereaved families is being finalised." 

Zikalala said the declaration of the state of disaster opened the way for an orderly and co-ordinated response to the crisis. 

"The declaration requires organs of state to strengthen support to existing structures to implement contingency arrangements and ensure measures are put in place to enable the province to effectively deal with the effects of the disaster," said the premier.

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