Parts of KwaZulu Natal (KZN) have been devastated by heavy rains in recent weeks, resulting in over R3bn in damage to infrastructure and loss of lives. A state of disaster was declared in early March to provide resources for the province to recover from the destruction caused by the heavy rainfall.
Residents on the ground are facing immense challenges as they try to cope with the aftermath of the floods. Sanelisiwe Mkhize, a 23-year-old student at Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi, lost most of her belongings when the backroom she lived in was flooded during the heavy rains last month. She described the night the rain started, saying that water seeped in from under the door before the roof began to leak, eventually leading to her room being filled with water up to her knees.
Although Mkhize was able to salvage some of her textbooks, the majority of her clothes and food were washed away. Apart from the material losses, she also highlighted the mental toll the experience has taken on her. She shared her fear of sleeping, staying up at night out of terror of drowning in her sleep.
Michel’le Donnelly, project lead for advocacy and awareness at the South African Federation for Mental Health, emphasized that the psychological impact of flooding extends long after the water recedes. Research has shown that extreme weather events like flooding can increase the risk of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and symptoms of depression.
The ongoing heavy rains in KZN have continued to displace communities and claim lives, with some areas experiencing repeated flooding since 2022, hindering any attempts at recovery. Mkhize expressed her concerns about missing out on school due to the conditions in her accommodation, where she has not received any psychosocial support apart from being directed to the ward councillor’s office for basic assistance.
Despite the challenges she faces, Mkhize has returned to her repaired accommodation, where only the roof has been fixed, and she has yet to replace the items she lost in the flood. While Mangosuthu University offers counseling services on campus, there has been no indication of students requiring temporary accommodation due to the floods. However, the institution remains prepared to provide support in collaboration with relevant stakeholders if the need arises.
The devastating impact of the recent floods in KZN serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for support and resources to help communities recover and rebuild in the face of natural disasters.
