Durban — UMdloti residents at the beachside town north of Durban said the rain on Monday brought back painful memories of the devastating floods in April.
This comes after Monday’s inclement weather once again battered the area, leaving the roads covered in sand.
During a visit by the Daily News on Tuesday, some complexes were trying to clear the sand from their driveways, while a payloader was clearing sand off North Beach Road.
A mother of two, Amila Naidoo, 29, said that although the rain did not cause extreme damage it did move the sand to the road, which made residents fear that the buildings could still fall apart.
“We are not safe. Every little rain still moves the sand, and this shows that buildings could easily be swept away.
“I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like this year’s flood in the area. Even leaving children inside the house is no longer safe.
“Once it rains, everyone wants to rush home for their loved ones. It is a constant fear,” said Naidoo.
Prince Bunda, 34, who works in the area and is the sole breadwinner in his family, feared that the floods could cost him his job.
“I was working as the gardener in a few complexes in this area. After the first floods, I had to stay at home for months as there was no grass or flowers to care for. My family and I starved for days, even weeks, without food. Seeing heavy rains gives me anxiety,” he said.
He added that fortunately, after two months, one of the complex owners called him to take a part-time position as a caretaker/guard.
However, he said the continuous infrastructure damage caused by the rain suggested that he might lose his job permanently.
“I’m scared for myself and the future of my family. I’m already just looking after a building with no tenants. What happens to me if this building gets washed away?” Bunda said.
“How will I provide for my family? I do not wish for my children to go to bed hungry ever again.
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do to prevent these rains.
“I know it is said that rain is a blessing, but is it still one when it’s costing us our livelihoods?” said Bunda.
Ward councillor Geoff Pullan said sand washing down was to be expected as no vegetation had grown since the floods.
“I went there to see for myself,” he said.
“I realised that there was hardly any new damage, but sand washing down from the hill that was affected earlier this year.
“Most of the vegetation was cleared up the hill previously, and has not grown again, which makes it hard for the sand to hold together,” said Pullan.
He added that no extreme damage had been reported by residents, and that he was hopeful that no incidents would happen until all had been resolved.
“The municipality did install the 9mm pipes for the drainage system. However, it will take some time for nature to grow as the sand is not stable yet,” he said.
At the time of going to publication, the SAPS had not responded to a request for comment.
The South African Weather Service’s Thandiwe Gumede said no rain was expected at least until next week.
Daily News