麻豆社

More than 300 people have died after devastating floods hit South Africa's eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. Hundreds more have lost their homes while search teams are still looking for scores of people.

Excess water spilled from several hydroelectric dams. Power and communications lines have been cut. Further heavy rain is forecast. President Cyril Ramaphosa's described what has happened as a "catastrophe" for the country. On a visit to some of the worst-hit areas, he promised more government help.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman is Director of Gift of the Givers Foundation, a humanitarian charity helping with the response to the disaster. He says: "If the water came with such force to throw shipping containers against a bridge, you can imagine what it's done to flimsy houses when streams became rivers within minutes." He expects the death-toll to rise as rescue workers gain access to more areas.

Image: Residents salvage the remains of what use to be the United Methodist Church of South Africa in Clermont, near Durban Credit: Phill Magakoe / Getty Images.

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