COGTA estimates KZN weather damage amounts to R2.5 billion
The province has been battered by torrential downpours that have claimed 23 lives and severely damaged roads and infrastructure since last month.
A road destroyed by flash floods in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal on 24 December 2023. Picture: @kzngov/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Ministry has estimated the cost of damage caused by inclement weather in KwaZulu-Natal to amount to R2.5 billion.
The province has been battered by torrential downpours that have claimed 23 lives and severely damaged roads and infrastructure since last month.
COGTA Minister Thembi Nkadimeng was in the Uthugela District Municipality assessing the extent of damage caused by recent harsh weather.
She said more downpours were expected in the province over the weekend.
"The damage is about R2.5 billion as estimated, we are still on warning level 5, with an anticipation it could only cool down around Sunday or Monday."
Nkadimeng said hundreds of families had since been evacuated.
"Over 400 families from December and the Department of Human Settlements is already on site so that we rebuild where we can."
She said municipalities will receive a budget for repairs soon.
"We have already classified the budget that the municipalities need to fork on damage and renovations."