Death toll in South Africa flooding tops 340

(Eagle News) — The death toll from flooding in the port city of Durban, South Africa has risen to more than 340 people.

Helicopters have fanned out over the city in a desperate search for survivors.

Roads and bridges have been washed out making the delivery of supplies to trapped residents an almost impossible task.

Residents of Quarry Road informal settlement wash their clothes as others rebuild in Durban on April 14, 2022, following the devastating rains and flooding. Victims of South Africa’s deadliest storm on record scrambled to get help on April 14, 2022 as relief teams struggled to cross bridges and roads wrecked by floods and landslides. At least 306 people died when the heaviest rainfall in six decades swept away homes and destroyed infrastructure in the city of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal province. Phill Magakoe / AFP

Non-governmental organizations have been distributing food and essentials.

Some areas have been without power and water since Monday.

In some regions more than 450 millimeters or 18 inches of rain fell in a two-day period.

That is nearly half of Durban’s annual rainfall.

Travis Trower, of the volunteer-run organization Rescue South Africa, says he’s never seen a disaster this bad.

The South African Weather Service has issued thunderstorm and localized flood warnings for the weekend.

(Eagle News Service)