20 saved from KZN rooftops

2008-06-18 11:02

Durban - At least 20 people were rescued from rooftops on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast early on Wednesday morning after heavy overnight downpours, the Police's Search and Rescue Team said.

Spokesperson Jack Haskins said most of the incidents reported during the downpour came from the south coast between Umkomaas and Port Edward.

"Our teams had to go on foot to Club Marina at Ifafa Beach and rescue at least 20 people off rooftops. It could not be done by the helicopter as it battled to get there due to bad weather conditions," he said.

Haskins said they had also received reports of cars that washed away with people in them, but this could not be confirmed.

He said at this stage, it was also unknown if any people were missing.

"There were a lot of washaways last night, rivers burst their banks, bridges were washed away and a lot of structural damage was done around the south coast," he said.

Water levels very high

"Right now water levels at all the rivers are extremely high," he said.

No injuries had been reported thus far, he said.

Hibiscus Coast Protection Services Head Victor Chetty said heavy rainfall had resulted in homes being damaged and low lying bridges being flooded.

He said at least 200 people had been taken to local community halls for shelter in the Ugu district.

An official from the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS), who could not be named, said the Umzinto bridge had collapsed but that no injuries were reported.

Motorists travelling in the area were urged to be extra careful.

Durban's East Cost radio reported that three people on a yacht off Ifafa Beach were airlifted to safety on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Sea Rescue Institute reportedly told media that the crew was sailing from Port Edward to Durban when they began experiencing difficulties in bad weather conditions and gale force winds.

Meanwhile in Durban, hundreds of motorists were caught in standstill traffic for nearly two hours on Wednesday as mudslides and water puddles were reported throughout the Ethekwini region.

A deep water puddle on the M4 Southern Freeway (now known as the Albert Luthuli Highway) - near the Victoria Embankment off-ramp - covered two of three lanes and motorists had to be diverted into the third lane.

Metro police urged motorists to use alternate routes during the course of the day.

The Durban Weather Bureau reported that the downpour would continue throughout the day.

- SAPA