CLOSE to 6,000 people have been affected by the recent floods in the eThekwini Metro.
Mayor Cyril Xaba briefed the media on Sunday about the impact of the recent floods on infrastructure and residents.
The city is still calculating the cost to repair the damage caused by other storms and the final figure could rise.
Xaba told the media: “The inclement weather also caused extensive damage to private properties, as 1,452 houses and close to 6,000 people were affected.
“Working with the provincial and national government, we have been able to relocate some of the flood victims to family-friendly accommodation in the city. Others have moved in with their relatives, and we want to thank them for this act of kindness.
“As you know, each time these flood disasters occur, they destroy our critical infrastructure, which results in the interruption of the provision of basic services. The total cost for infrastructure damages arising from the floods from 19 February to March 2 is estimated at R1.5 billion.
Detailing the damage, he said it can be summarised as follows:
- Roads and stormwater: R35.6 million
- Roads provision: R281.7 million
- Coastal and stormwater catchment: R307.7 million
- Sanitation: R330 million
- Human Settlements: R354 million
- Water operations: R6 million
- Electricity: R5.5 million
- Cleansing and Solid Waste: R10.2 million
- Parks and Recreation: R36 million for libraries, community halls, and cemeteries.
He said the damages caused by the March 15 floods are still being quantified, and they would share them with the public as soon as they become available.
He added that since the classification of a disaster in the province by the national government, they were hopeful that a substantial amount of the disaster grant funding will be allocated to eThekwini in light of the extensive losses suffered.
THE MERCURY