Severe Weather Alert: KwaZulu-Natal Authorities Warn Motorists to Avoid Lower South Coast Amid Heavy Rainfall

With the holiday season in full swing, authorities have asked motorists to avoid road trips to parts of the Lower South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, including tourist hotspots like Margate, Shelley Beach, and Port Shepstone.

This advisory comes due to the devastation inflicted on those areas by Sunday's heavy rainfall. More heavy rain is also predicted for later on Monday.

Apart from the damaging impact of Sunday's rains on local infrastructure, including flooding of homes and businesses, the downpours also resulted in a mudslide that claimed the life of a 63-year-old resident of Embomvini.

The municipality issued a statement warning motorists to avoid road trips to the Lower South Coast if possible.

“We can confirm that one person died after her house fell on her at Ebomvini. Residents and motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and delay road trips where possible, as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist until 23h59 tonight (Monday),” read the statement.

The municipality's spokesperson, Simon April, stated that the victim was inside her house when the mudslide occurred.

He added that while assessment and mop-up operations are being conducted, the weather services have predicted that the rainfall will persist until Monday night. Motorists are urged to delay their trips to the area.

The impact of the rainfall was most severe at the Margate Beach promenade, Shelly Beach, and Port Shepstone CBD, as well as surrounding areas.

April also mentioned that fallen trees obstructing roads and posing risks to road users are being removed. Residential and business properties have been affected, and sinkholes have been reported at Manaba and Leisure Bay.

Lower-level bridges along the P200 were flooded, and the Ugu pump station at Borough Sportsgrounds was submerged.

The extreme weather phenomenon also caused a power outage in the Oslo Beach area. Margate Basin Association spokesperson Surina Smart stated that although their businesses were affected, they are open for business and welcoming people, especially tourists.

KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi announced that disaster management teams have been placed on high alert in the areas along the south coast of the province.

DAILY NEWS