25-04-2025
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain
Endumeni's Disaster Management Team responded swiftly to the widespread damage caused by the recent heavy rains – 179mm of rain was measured in April, breaking the 1903 record of 157mm.
The unusually heavy autumn rains follow the incessant summer rains that have left many areas underwater. Four houses collapsed in Dlamini Village while extensive damage was also done to the cemeteries in Sithembile.
'These will be closed for a while. Those burying loved ones will have to use the Burnside Road cemetery until further notice,' said Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni's disaster manager.
The team also assisted families whose homes crumbled amid the weather onslaught. 'This is part of our new Disaster Homeless Interim intervention initiative. While waiting for the Department of Human Settlements to build houses for those affected, we have implemented a pilot project where wooden homes (Wendy houses) were erected in two days to at least give the families shelter,' Ntombela explained.
'However, we recognised the risk these homes also pose – so now we are looking at palisade-type homes to improve their shelter.
'For now, the wooden structures are better than the small tents that were previously given to storm victims.'
Families who were left homeless in the storm expressed their thanks to Council Speaker Andile Nsibande, who handed over their temporary homes.
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