At least 306 people died in Durban’s catastrophic flooding. South Africa’s President describes it as a climate change catastrophe.

Flooding in South Africa’s Durban area has killed at least 306 people and is a “catastrophe of enormous proportions,” President Cyril Ramaphosa says.

“This disaster is part and parcel of climate change. It is telling our that climate change has serious consequences, it is here,” Ramaphosa said while visiting flooded areas in Durban’s eThekwini metro area.

“You’re not alone … We’ll do everything in our power to see how we can help. He added that even though you are in pain, our hearts are here for you.”

“We can’t put off what we must do and the steps we need to take to combat climate change.

Officials said that the death toll in KwaZulu Natal province will continue to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Ramaphosa stated that the entire province would be declared a catastrophe area.

He said that one family had lost 10 of its members.

Residents were forced to flee their homes as buildings collapsed, houses were swept away, and roads were torn up.

Durban port was submerged and shipping containers were swept away to a chaotic heap.

Authorities were also trying to restore electricity in large parts of the province due to heavy flooding at different power stations.

Rescue efforts by the South African National Defence Force were delayed as the military’s air wing was also affected by the floods, General Rudzani Maphwanya said.

He stated that the military was able Wednesday to deploy personnel and helicopters all over the province.

According to the country’s weather bureau, some areas received daily rainfall amounts exceeding 160 millimetres.

Forecasters warned of continued wind and rain and the risk of continued flooding in Kwazulu-Natal and other provinces over the upcoming Easter weekend.

According to it, South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West Provinces could be affected.

Scientists believe that global warming is intensifying seaborne weather systems along Africa’s south-eastern coast.

Mozambique, South Africa’s northern neighbor, has been the victim of a series floods that have killed more than 50 people over the past decade.

AP/Reuters