Gloomy Christmas in Ladysmith: Ravaging Flash Floods Leave Six Dead and Ten Missing
In a devastating turn of events, six people died, while 10 others went missing after flash floods ravaged through Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal on Christmas Eve.
The region was struck by a powerful storm, leading to a sudden deluge that overwhelmed the Bell’s Spruit and Kliprivier, causing flash flooding.
Also Read: Tragedy Strikes KwaZulu-Natal: Ruthless Hailstorm Leaves 5 Dead, Hundreds Homeless
Devastating Flash Floods Leave Ladysmith in Ruins
The heavy rainfall on Christmas Eve left parts of Ladysmith in ruins, with numerous families grappling with grief and devastation as they mourned the loss of their loved ones who fell victim to the catastrophic floods. Meanwhile, other families clung to hope, desperately awaiting news of their missing relatives.
As of now, six people have been confirmed dead, while ten individuals remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the Ladysmith floods in KwaZulu-Natal. The flash floods unleashed widespread destruction, leaving the affected area in disarray on Christmas day.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), the heavy rainfall led to the Bellspuit River overflowing onto the N11 road near the Limit Hill robots in Ladysmith Town. The Mbonontathu bridge, which spans the river, succumbed to the rising waters, exacerbating the flooding, TimesLive reveals.
Loss of Lives and Missing Persons in the Aftermath
Cogta revealed that a household situated near a caravan park suffered complete destruction, resulting in the tragic loss of three family members who were swept away by the relentless force of the floodwaters. During the subsequent search and rescue operation, one family member was found deceased, while two others are still missing, adding to the anguish endured by their grieving loved ones.
Furthermore, three vehicles travelling on the N11 road were also engulfed by the raging floods:
- A double cab vehicle carrying a total of nine passengers tragically claimed the lives of three occupants, with the remaining six individuals still unaccounted for.
- A Polo vehicle carrying two passengers resulted in the loss of one life, while the other occupant remains missing.
- A light bakkie transporting two individuals suffered the same fate, leaving one person found deceased inside the vehicle and the other person still missing.
Several parts of Ladysmith continue to grapple with the aftermath of the flooding, as numerous areas remain submerged due to the heavy rainfall. The local SPCA and Caravan Park are among the affected locations, with victims reportedly being in close proximity to the park, adjacent to an overflowing stream.
Recovery Efforts Amidst the Tragedy
In response to the Ladysmith flash floods, the South African Weather Services in KwaZulu-Natal has issued a Level 2 warning for various parts of the province, effective Monday and Tuesday. This warning serves as a reminder of the ongoing weather challenges faced by the region, urging residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant during this period.
