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Eskom not implementing blackouts in flood-stricken KZN

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Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter, says they have not implemented blackouts in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). He says they are doing everything they can to assist in the area.

De Ruyter was briefing the media on Wednesday morning regarding, the state of the power system in South Africa.

The heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal have also added further problems to the grid.

Eskom conducted assessments of its power grid in KwaZulu-Natal and says its grid is intact with minor interruptions in isolated areas because of the heavy rains.

Some areas in the province have been hit hard by outages due to mudslides and flooding.

“Bear in mind, we provide to municipalities in KZN, by and large, our grid from Eskom perspective is still intact. We have some minor interruptions in isolated areas. Where there are short-term interruptions. We have offered assistance to municipalities in KZN to help with spares [and] maintenance crews. Those discussions are ongoing,” says De Ruyter.

Eskom briefs the media on the current system challenges:

 

 

 

Blackouts to continue until Friday

De Ruyter said blackouts across the rest of the country will continue until Friday as the power utility deals with further planned maintenance.

“We have a shortfall of generation capacity of 3 518 MW and therefore we had to take a decision late last night to extend load shedding from 5 O’clock this morning until at least Friday, depending on how of cause the situation changes with units either returning to service from unplanned trips or further breakdowns,”saysDe Ruyter .

Eskom says maintenance currently stands at 5 318 MW or 11.2 percent – which is very high.

Parts of flood-stricken KZN on Wednesday.

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa visits areas affected by floods in KwaZulu-Natal

President Cyril Ramaphosa is visiting communities affected by the heavy rains and floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Wednesday.

 

Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa visits areas affected by floods in KwaZulu-Natal

State of disaster declared in KZN, says Premier Zikalala

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala says the province has been declared a disaster area. Several areas have been affected by inclement weather conditions that have claimed lives of at least 59 people.

KZN Floods I Premier Sihle Zikalala updates on the situation

 

Images of parts of KZN affected by the floods this week.

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