LOOK: Road closures in and around Durban as red weather alert stays in effect

DURBAN - As the second day of heavy rain persists in Durban and along the coastline, many roads have been closed due to flooding and damage.

This comes just ovver a month after heavy rain caused flooding in the province which left hundreds dead and many still missing, as well as severe damage to infrastructure.

On Saturday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 10 weather alert, which is the highest on the scale.

SAWS said the impact-based disruptive rain warning, which was issued just after 12pm on Saturday, would remain in effect until 11pm on Sunday.

EThekwini Municipality announced on Sunday that SAWS forecast models showed that moderate to high rainfall was expected between 6am and 10am today.

“Higher intensity is expected from approximately 08H00 over the Central and Northern regions. Moderate to low rainfall is expected to continue until 20H00. There is a high probability of localised flooding of vulnerable areas and landslides within the municipality,” said the city.

The city appealed to residents and drivers to exercise extreme caution.

The municipality urged residents to avoid the following roads:

• Alpine Road southbound due to a bank collapse.

• Caversham Road in Pinetown is closed. The road has sunken and is cordoned off.

• Mariannhill Road near Gillets Road, damage across the entire road.
• Kreurboom Road near Mariannridge Road, closed due to mudslide.
• KwaDabeka D on an arterial road next to Khululeka Drive.

• Residents are advised to use caution when travelling on Botha's Hill old Main Road, there is a sinkhole on the edge of the road covered by cement bags.

• Residents are advised to use caution or avoid the intersection between Joshua Gumede and Anderson roads, Pinetown. The roads are water logged.
• Residents are advised to stay clear of the M4 between Desainagar and Westbrook near the Boys’ Town Bridge.

The city also advised residents to avoid the Tshelimnyama and KwaXimba areas.

In a road access update at 7.30am, Blue security said many roads were waterlogged or completely flooded.

“If you are on the roads today, we urge you to be extra vigilant and look out for debris, mudslides, and sinkholes,” said the security company.

Blue Security advised the public to avoid these roads:

• Riverside Road, which joins the M4 Ruth First Highway is completely flooded.
• M4 Southern Freeway both directions look out for large puddles.
• Umgeni Road westbound under the N2 bridge is closed to traffic, all lanes are waterlogged.
• M13 in both directions has lots of water on the roadway as well as mudslides.
• M7 has mudslides as well as moving water across the roadway.
• Stapleton Road and Eden Road in Pinetown are flooded.
• M41 from Phoenix at the N2 Southbound bridge, the road is closed to traffic.
• South Coast Road to the M7 is completely waterlogged and closed to traffic.
• N2 near the old airport has large puddles.
• N3 coming into Durban is also waterlogged, be vigilant.

Ward 65 councillor Samantha Windvogel advised residents to remain at home for safety and to only travel if really necessary. She appealed to drivers to keep the roads clear for emergency personnel.

Windvogel warned residents about the following roads and areas:

• Stockvile Road Westmead, bridge washing away.
• Edwin Swales/Solomon Mahlangu Drive, CLOSED.
• Mudslide on Marine Drive opposite vet obstructing one lane, use caution.
• Brighton Road near Booths bottles store, rocks and sand washed across road
• Bluff Road to Tara Road /South Coast to Quality Street flooded.
• Higginson Highway flooded.
• Parts of Bluff are flooded.
• Parts of Isipingo are flooded.
• Parts of Pinetown are flooded.
• M19 out of Umgeni, mudslides and waterlogged.
• Phoenix Highway and R102 by Mount Edgecombe Hospital.
• N2 Sibaya, mudslide.
• No entrance to Umdloti between Shell and Old Virgin Active Mount Edgecombe, flooded.
• Mudslides after Keyridge towards Durban.

Yesterday, PT Alarms said roads along the Durban beachfront were waterlogged.

Windvogel said as at 6am, Athlone Drive alongside the golf course was flooded.

“Westbound from M4 towards the NMR, all lanes are waterlogged. Cars will come to a stop when driving into the pool of water. Eastbound as well. Avoid or drive very slowly,” she said

KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, Robert Mckenzie, said emergency services were still on high alert as there was still heavy rain falling in KZN, especially in the eThekwini district.

He said while there was localised flooding and some roads had been closed off, emergency services had access via alternative routes.

“We are able to access all areas at this stage still, even if it is via alternative routes, and we we still have access to all our health facilities,” said Mckenzie.

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THE MERCURY