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Published: 11:08, April 19, 2022
S. African military deployed to flood-ravaged province
By Reuters
Published:11:08, April 19, 2022 By Reuters

A man with a raincoat walks pass a huge puddle in Clare Estate outside Durban on April 18, 2022 as rain begins to fall once again after winds, heavy rainfall and mudslides destroyed many homes and infrastructure last week. (RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

UMBUMBULU, South Africa  - Thousands of South African soldiers will help with relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people have died in floods and mudslides and dozens more are missing.

A week after the torrential rains began, the South African National Defense Force said on Monday it had been instructed to activate 10,000 troops for tasks including mop-up work and transporting aid.

The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa's busiest ports, Durban

The SANDF would also provide medical support and helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.

ALSO READ: S. African leader visits flood victims as death toll rises to 306

The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa's busiest ports, Durban. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech that his Cabinet had declared a national state of disaster because of the floods and extreme weather in several other provinces, which would allow for a more effective response to the crisis.

He said the finance minister would approach parliament over additional spending, beyond the 1 billion rand ($68 million) which he has said is immediately available. 

Outside the town of Umbumbulu about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Durban, herdsman Mbukeni Khwela accompanied police officers and sniffer dogs to scour a river for a missing neighbour who had been swept away.

ALSO READ: South Africa formally ends national state of disaster

"We have found her son, but we haven't found her," the 59-year-old said.

The latest death toll from the floods stands at 443, with 48 people still unaccounted for, Ramaphosa said.

Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.


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