Durban Floods: Death toll reaches 70 and is expected to rise

The death toll from a devastating storm that hit KwaZulu-Natal on Monday night and continued into Tuesday morning has risen to 70, the province’s acting premier has said.

Sihle Zikalala made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday morning, according to broadcaster eNCA.

The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams are still continuing with search operations.

The first priority of the provincial government is clean-up operations in the most affected areas and ensuring dignified burials for the dead.

eThekwini (Durban and surrounds), King Chetswayo (Richards Bay and surrounds), Ugu (South Coast and surrounds) and Harry Gwala (uMzimkhulu and surrounds) were severely affected by the storm.