The South African army says it is deploying 10,000 troops to areas affected by record floods to help restore power and water, and support recovery missions. The death toll from the floods in the country’s eastern provinces has risen to more than 440. The return of rains over the weekend complicated rescue efforts and contributed to the death of at least one responder.
Officials say 14 search and rescue teams have been dispatched from Durban’s Virginia Airport to recover victims of last week’s deadly floods. Durban is in the hard-hit province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Travis Trower, director for volunteer organization Rescue South Africa, said one rescuer, Busisiwe Mjwara, drowned Sunday along with her dog Leah while searching the Msunduzi River.
“The more water that's falling, the heavier the ground becomes, which causes more mudslides, which makes it a lot more dangerous for us," Trower said. "To lose somebody that is part of the team has a massive impact on everybody. We’re all close to the member and to know that that has happened definitely sets everyone back and changes the tone of the rescues.”
Trower, who is also an emergency medical care lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, said despite the weather conditions, rescuers managed to recover six bodies Sunday.
At least 443 people were confirmed dead by provincial officials. Dozens of people remain missing.
In the riverside community of Mariannhill, in west Durban, the arrival of search and rescue teams Friday brought momentary relief to families of missing loved ones.
Sinenhlanhla Menela's 26-year-old sister and her two children were swept into the river in a landslide.
Menela said local police have been overwhelmed by calls but that he hopes the arrival of a canine unit will help.
“No one wants to help us, even the police, they don’t want to help. We see dogs, maybe they will, they will try to help us.”
Further downstream, Philsiwe Nene was among dozens of people searching the riverbanks for their neighbor’s missing son.
She said without a body, the family is denied a proper funeral.
“It gives us some peace when we know where we bury the body. His mother is crying now and again, whole days. It’s bad, it’s bad.
Trower called the devastation “vast” and says it is impossible for authorities to be fully prepared for a disaster of this scale. He said he has seen the heartbreak in communities and rescuers are doing their best with the resources they have while keeping safety in mind.
“We really need to do things slowly. And hopefully, in time, we'll be able to bring everyone back and then give these families closure. But I think at the moment it is just patience. You know, it's a very difficult time. And the guys will work, they will work until the job is done.”
People across the country are coming together to donate funds and resources to the KwaZulu-Natal province.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also cancelled plans to go to Saudi Arabia Tuesday so he can focus on the recovery.
