The death toll from devastating floods in and around the South African port city of Durban has risen to 306, the government released figures on Wednesday, after roads and hillsides were washed away as homes collapsed.

According to a report in The Guardian, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has described the floods as a “catastrophe” and a “calamity”. Unprecedented rain and floods, seen for the first time in 60 years, has affected Durban’s municipality. Due to mudslides people are believed to be trapped under buildings with more floods expected. 

 “Bridges have collapsed. Roads have collapsed. People have died,” Ramaphosa said, addressing a local community after inspecting the damage from the floods. The role of Climate change in this disaster can’t be ignored. “This disaster is part of climate change. We no longer can postpone what we need to do … to deal with climate change. It is here, and our disaster management capability needs to be at a higher level.” the president added. 

As per a report in the BBC, in Crocodile Creek Farm, about 40km (25 miles) north of Durban in Tongaat, 12 crocodiles were swept away after torrential rain hit the area..

The southern parts of South Africa are bearing the harshest brunt of the climate crisis– suffering recurrent and worsening torrential rains and flooding. The South Africa Weather Services has warned of of continued flooding in Kwazulu-Natal and other provinces over the upcoming Easter weekend.