2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods

In April 2022, days of heavy rain across KwaZulu-Natal in

southeastern South Africa led to deadly floods. Particularly hard- 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods
hit were areas in and around Durban. At least 450 people have
been reported dead, and 63 people are still missing. Several
thousand homes were damaged or destroyed. Critical
infrastructure, including major roads, transportation,
communication, and electrical systems, were also impacted by
the flooding, and this damage greatly hampered recovery and
relief efforts. It is one of the deadliest natural disasters in the
country in the 21st century, and the deadliest storm since the
1987 floods.[2][3] The floods have caused R5.7 billion ($389
million) in infrastructure damage.[4]

Location of KwaZulu-Natal in South

Africa
Contents Date 8 April 2022 – ongoing
Background and meteorological history Location South Africa (especially
Impact KwaZulu-Natal)
Aftermath Deaths 450 confirmed[1]
See also Property >$389 million
References damage

Background and meteorological history

Owing to the effects of La Niña, South Africa has seen above-
average precipitation in 2022. In January, many regions
experienced their heaviest rains since reliable records began in
1921.[5] Southern Africa as a whole experienced multiple
devastating tropical cyclones and floods in the summer of 2021–
22.[6]

Heavy rainfall began in earnest around 8  April and persisted for

days.[7] By 11 April, the cut-off low became established along the
east coast of South Africa, with the South African Weather Service
issuing a level 5 warning for the coast and adjacent interior of
KwaZulu-Natal – which was subsequently changed to a level 8
and later a level 9 warning when the impact and scale of the rainfall
was better understood.[8] The clockwise flow of the low pressure
system brought warm, moist air from the subtropics toward the
coast, resulting in heavy rain across KwaZulu-Natal.[8] The most Subtropical Depression Issa on 13
intense precipitation fell in eThekwini, ILembe, and Ugu April
municipalities.[9] During the period of 8–12  April, most of
KwaZulu-Natal saw more than 50  mm (2.0  in) of rain, with coastal areas recording more than 200  mm
(7.9  in). In a 24-hour period spanning 11–12  April, Virginia Airport recorded 304  mm (12.0  in) of
precipitation.[8] Areas along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal recorded 450 millimetres (18  in) of
precipitation.[10]

On 12 April, the low-pressure system was classified as a subtropical depression and designated Subtropical
Depression Issa by Météo-France, due to its structure and presence of gale-force winds.[11] Following its
southwestern trajectory along the South African coast and after reaching the northeastern coast of the
Eastern Cape on the morning of 13 April, the system turned northward, continuing back along the South
African coast in a northeasterly direction before moving out to sea and further weakening.[12]

Impact
The torrential rains destroyed dozens of homes, washed away
roads, and triggered mudslides. On 13 April, it was announced that
59 people were killed across KwaZulu-Natal: 45 in eThekwini and
14 in iLembe.[13][14] Later that day, the number of reported deaths
due to the flooding was increased to 398.[15] KwaZulu-Natal
Premier Sihle Zikalala stated at least 2,000 homes and 4,000 shanty
homes were damaged or destroyed.[13] Five people were killed in a
shantytown near Clare Estate. A woman and three children were Diagram of Subtropical Depression
killed in Tongaat when their car was swept away by a swollen Issa's path.
river. Two people died in Verulam when their home collapsed.[6]

The coastal N2 Highway suffered several washouts, with bridges destroyed. Southbound lanes of the N3
Highway, which connects Durban and Johannesburg, were closed due to flooding and debris.[5] By 13
April, trucks were backlogged on the N3 South from the Marrian Hill Plaza back 10 km to Hammarsdale
with minor looting taking place as they were unable to enter the port in Durban.[16]

Transnet suspended port operations in Durban.[14] This occurred in the early evening of Monday 11 April,
and a command centre made up of Transnet, customers and operators were set up to monitor activities at the
port.[17] The heavy rains then damaged the roads leading into the port and on the N3 leading to the city.[17]
Shipping into the port had also been suspended.[17] Freight transport companies were told not to send
transport cargo to Durban.[17] At the Port of Richards Bay, terminals were operating but in a limited
capacity.[17]

A hydroelectric dam operated by Eskom was overwhelmed by rising waters, rendering it inoperable.[14]
Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter announced on Tuesday 12 April that rolling blackouts would occur that
evening due to issues in the network caused by the excessive rains.[18] At their Drakensberg Pumped
Storage Scheme facility, excessive debris on grids protecting the turbines needed clearing and on the Ingula
Pumped Storage Scheme, both upper and lower dams were at full capacity and emptying the upper dam
could result in flooding.[18] Other issues in KwaZulu Natal were downed power lines and flooded
substations.[18]

Damage occurred to the province's mobile phone infrastructure.[19] Vodacom reported 400 towers impacted
mostly by electricity outages, flooding and issues with flooded fibre conduiting.[19] MTN claimed 500 sites
were affected by flooding and power outages.[19]

Umgeni Water, the supplier of water to Durban and KZN, announced that two feeder lines were broken
and these two aqueducts supplied water to the Durban Heights reservoir.[20] Repairs were taking place.[20]
Water tankers were being used to supply areas without water supplies.[20]
Sappi closed three paper mills at Saiccor, Tugela and Stanger, leaving only two others functioning.[21] A
Pepkor distribution centre in Durban was closed due to flooding leaving two others in Johannesburg and
Cape Town to assist the supply chain.[21]

The Amanzimtoti, Umbilo and Umgeni topped their banks, inundating surrounding communities.[7] Shanty
towns constructed along the banks of these rivers saw extensive damage.[6] Approximately 100 schools
were damaged and 500 were closed throughout the province.[6]

Damage to infrastructure hampered relief efforts.[7] Aerial support was requested from the South African
National Defence Force to assist in recovery.[14] Some looting of damaged shipping containers was
reported at the Transnet port.[13]

Extensive damage to Bayhead Road, the main access to fuel depots caused numerous petrol stations in
KwaZulu-Natal to be without fuel. Major oil companies have also suspended all operations.[22]

Kwazi Mshengu, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in KZN announced that close to
300 rural and urban schools had been damaged in the storm.[23] The department was still trying to repair
damage to schools that had occurred in December 2021.[23]

Aftermath
On 12 April, after a late emergency meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive council, Premier
Sihle Zikalala called for a declaration of emergency by the State so his province can access emergency
funding.[24] President Cyril Ramaphosa, attending a three day summit of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) in Maputo, cut short his trip and returned to KwaZulu Natal on 13
April.[24] President Cyril Ramaphosa visited families and local residents affected by the storm and floods in
Lindelani, Ntuzuma, eMaoti and uMzinyathi.[25] He was accompanied by KZN Premier Zikalala and Co-
operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as well as various
mayors and provincial ministers.[25]

On 13 April, a provincial state of disaster was declared in KwaZulu-Natal by the National Disaster
Management Centre, specifically referencing the loss of life and damage to property, infrastructure, and the
environment as reasons for the declaration.[26]

Early assessments of the damage to the provincial roads in KwaZulu-Natal worth R5.7 billion were
announced by transport minister Fikile Mbalula on 15 April.[4] In other assessments, the KZN Human
Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced that 13,500 households had been affected by the
storm, with over 3,927 houses destroyed and another 8,097 partly destroyed.[4] R1 billion would be used to
repair buildings and build temporary shelters.[4]

Due to the heavy rain, communities downstream from two dams in KZN have been warned on 19 April
about possible flooding as the dams had reached more than 80% capacity.[27] Water was being released
from the Ntshingwayo and Pongolapoort dams to reduce the capacities.[27]

See also
1987 South Africa floods — the deadliest floods on record in South Africa, killing 506 people
2022 Eastern Cape floods
List of deadliest floods
Weather of 2022
References
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24. Papayya, Mary; Omarjee, Hajra (13 April 2022). "Premier Sihle Zikalala calls for state of
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