蜜芽传媒

South African authorities in KwaZulu-Natal province are calling for a state of disaster to be declared after floods wreaked havoc in the area. At least 250 people are thought to have died in what officials say is "one of the worst weather storms in the history of our country."

Thabiso Goba, a journalist in Durban for The Witness Newspaper, says that the floods have been "catastrophic" and there are fears the death toll will rise as the water recedes and more excavations are made. He says entire neighbourhoods have been swept away, with mudslides causing significant damage to the informal settlements in the city. Bridges have been swept away, and the city's critical infrastructure has been seriously affected. He says the authorities have been criticised for putting out insufficient warnings, and alerting the public too late.

Photo: People dig for persons believed to be trapped at a house in Durban, South Africa Credit: Getty Images