South African military deployed to flood-ravaged province | Inquirer News

South African military deployed to flood-ravaged province

/ 11:28 AM April 19, 2022

South African military deployed to flood-ravaged province

A search and rescue team use a dog to search for bodies in Dassenhoek near Durban, South Africa, April 17, 2022. REUTERS

UMBUMBULU, South Africa — Thousands of South African soldiers will help with relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people have died in floods and mudslides and dozens more are missing.

A week after the torrential rains began, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said on Monday it had been instructed to activate 10,000 troops for tasks including mop-up work and transporting aid.

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The SANDF would also provide medical support and helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.

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The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa’s busiest ports, Durban.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech that his Cabinet had declared a national state of disaster because of the floods and extreme weather in several other provinces, which would allow for a more effective response to the crisis.

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He said the finance minister would approach parliament over additional spending, beyond the 1 billion rand ($68 million) which he has said is immediately available.

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Outside the town of Umbumbulu about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Durban, herdsman Mbukeni Khwela accompanied police officers and sniffer dogs to scour a river for a missing neighbour who had been swept away.

“We have found her son, but we haven’t found her,” the 59-year-old said.

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The latest death toll from the floods stands at 443, with 48 people still unaccounted for, Ramaphosa said.

Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.

($1 = 14.6971 rand)

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TAGS: Flood, Military, Rain, South Africa, Weather

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