Flooding in KwaZulu-Natal over the past two days has left seven people dead and destroyed hundreds of homes. The damage caused could run into hundreds of millions of rands, but the provincial government may not have the money to rebuild the infrastructure.

Some residents of the Mtsintsini area near Hibberdene on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast are assisting in the search for a 14-year-old girl who is presumed drowned during yesterday's heavy rain. Nobuhle Ngcobo was last seen while trying to cross the Mtsila river on her way to school with her sisters. Her sisters say they tried to save her but they were overwhelmed by the water.

Emotional family members could not contain their tears as they related the incident to Provincial Premier Zweli Mkhize and Local Government MEC Nomsa Dube, who were visiting the area. Many houses were also damaged during the storm. Mkhize says provincial government officials will remain in the area until all those affected get help.

More than a thousand families across the province are without shelter tonight. Affected areas include the midlands, the north and south coast and areas around Durban. Mop up operations are expected to start in earnest tomorrow as the weather bureau predicts clear skies throughout the province.

Meanwhile, flood warnings have been issued in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Officials say the low-lying areas that have been a challenge in the past are at risk, These include the Klipriver system in Soweto, areas between the West Rand's river system and the northern suburbs, including Dainfern, Diepsloot, Alexandra and Woodmead.