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Impact of floods in KZN appears to be worse than the 2019 storm disaster: Gift of the Givers

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Humanitarian organisation, the Gift of the Givers Foundation has described devastating scenes amid the flooding in KwaZulu Natal (KZN)- saying the impact appears to be worse than the 2019 storm disaster. Heavy downpours have severely affected parts of the province.

At least 59 people are reported to have died after flash floods swept away homes, vehicles, bridges and roads. The Founder of the Gift of the Givers, Imtiaz Sooliman says they are working to assist those affected.

“It has been a total disaster. We were involved in the floods in 2019, but this one seems far worse. There is heartbreak, shock with the sudden rise in water levels and overflowing rivers overnight. Pensioners were in the floods with water one metre high and they had to move. The informal settlements in KZN,” Sooliman explains.

VIDEO: KwaZulu-Natal Floods I A family inGift of the Givers loses five members in the floods

The KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu says schools that have been damaged or left inaccessible due to the heavy rains and flooding are advised to close until next week Tuesday. At least 140 schools in the province have reported accessibility challenges.

“We have advised that those schools that are inaccessible, because of the damage done to schools or the bridges that have been washed away, so schools that are not accessible we have advised that they should not open at least up until Tuesday so that we are sure that there is no risk taken by learners and educators in attempts to access those schools,” Mshengu explains.

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