Just as eThekwini Municipality announced good news for holidaymakers – that it had reopened Umhlanga Main and Bronze beaches following improvements in water quality – the city was again lashed by deadly flash floods and a tornado that kept emergency responders working throughout the night last night (June 27).

Heavy winds and rain pummelled not only the wider eThekwini Municipality and suburbs of Durban but also small towns along the KwaZulu Natal South Coast as far as Umkomaas, Scottburgh, Park Rynie and Port Shepstone in Ugu Municipality.  

Major roads, including the M19, M13, M7, and M4 southern freeway flooded, and other roads across the city were damaged or experienced mudslides.

A video of the flooded Selborne Golf Course, which had a raging river flowing across its greens, was shared widely on social media, and the Umkomaas Bridge on the R102, already damaged during the deadly April 2022 floods that claimed 469 lives, collapsed further.

Many homes suffered extensive damage, and community halls were opened last night to accommodate those who needed shelter.

Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert McKenzie said at least two people had been killed during the flood and six were injured when informal dwellings were washed away in Cato Crest.   

Damaged infrastructure

eThekwini Municipality said in a statement issued late today (Wednesday, June 28) that its teams were continuing to repair damaged infrastructure and clear roads by removing fallen trees, sand, and debris.

Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, KwaZulu Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, led a government visit to Inanda to assess damage and support the victims of Tuesday’s tornado in Inanda that went viral on social media.

Kaunda said the city’s rescue and emergency teams had worked throughout the night on Tuesday and responded to more than 100 calls for assistance.

He said the city’s multi-disciplinary teams from its water, electricity, roads, parks and recreation departments were working to swiftly repair and restore damaged infrastructure. Many areas lost power, but technicians have begun restoring it in several areas. 

Some roads remain closed after being waterlogged. These include Bayhead, Brickfield, the M7 Bellville, and Stapleton Road.

Major beaches reopened

eThekwini Municipality said in a statement, just as the devastating storm hit the city on Tuesday, that it had decided to reopen Umhlanga Main and Bronze beaches after receiving improved water quality tests.

“The decision to reopen the beaches was taken following recent water quality tests conducted by water experts, which confirmed improved water quality. This means that beach water at these two beaches is acceptable for public use and safe for recreational activities,” eThekwini Municipality said.

The two northern beaches were closed last week following pump failure at the Portland pump station. The pump has since been repaired and the pump station is now operational.

“The city continues to caution residents and businesses against the insertion of alien objects into our sewage system, which we have found to be one of the reasons for pump malfunctions.

“Technicians often find things like building rubble, cloth, disposable nappies and even towels in the sewer system, which causes pumps to malfunction,” it said.

Additional reasons for the breakdowns include load shedding and vandalism.

Beaches that are now open for swimming include Point, uShaka, Addington, South Beach, Wedge Beach, North Beach, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Thekwini, Country Club, Laguna, Brighton Beach, Toti Main, Pipeline, and Umgababa.

“Westbrook, uMdloti Main, Reunion Warner, Ansteys, and Winklespruit Beaches will remain closed until their water quality sufficiently improves.

“The municipality is continuously monitoring the water quality at beaches to ensure the safety of residents and visitors,” the municipality said.

For the latest beach water quality results, residents and visitors can visit the municipal website here.

For any emergency the public can call 031 361 000 at any time of the day or night.