Parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been battered by a torrential downpour that has resulted in severe flooding across KZN.
Reports indicate that dozens of people have been killed as a result of the severe flooding. Alongside endangered citizens are the ruined roads and destroyed structures, depicted in multiple videos and images posted across social media. Spokesperson for the Provincial Government, Lennox Mabaso, stated that efforts to implement relief and response initiatives are already underway. An appeal to declare a state of disaster within KZN has been forwarded to National Government.
Experts estimate that the damage could likely result in repair costs within the billions. As evident in the many videos and photos, infrastructure and facilities have been drastically damaged by the continued downpour and flooding. Roads serve as an important aspect of economic biology and are extremely costly to repair if they are damaged. Destroyed roads affect service delivery and coupled with the need to rapidly respond to those in need, tattered roads are especially challenging.
Additionally, photos were taken of a flooded warehouse and parking lot that is believed to be Toyota’s vast Prospecton plant. In the pictures, dozens of Toyota’s can be seen almost completely submerged. Droves of Hiluxes, Fortuners, Corolla Crosses and Quantums can be seen either submerged in the flooded parking lot or still in the production line. This will likely have a severe impact on Toyota production as this very plant was affected by the riots that ravaged parts of KZN in 2021. We have yet to see an official statement from Toyota regarding the flooding.