PMB residents concerned about poor drainage system ahead of cyclone

With a tropical cyclone headed for South Africa, Pietermaritzburg residents have raised their concerns about the city’s drainage system after storms on Sunday and Monday left several areas flooded.

The SA Weather Service reported yesterday that a tropical cyclone called Dineo has formed in the Mozambique region and was headed for South Africa in the next two days.

Heavy storms have hit KZN this past week causing disasters in various areas.

Although no serious damage was caused in the city, many Pietermaritzburg areas were left without electricity with about 10 areas in Msunduzi without power on Saturday and Sunday.

Residents from different areas in Pietermaritzburg voiced their concerns after the water did not drain away.

Garrick Street resident, Estelle Grobbelaar, said constant flooding on the street has posed a serious health hazard for her as the rainwater is not subsiding and their toilets cannot flush.

She said the problem has been persistent since Sunday and she has received no help from the municipality after she laid numerous complaints.

Creason Pillay, who owns Tagz on Greyling Street, said he had to splash through a deep pool to access his business yesterday after water overflowed from a nearby blocked drain.

He said the water flowed inside his business damaging his gate motor and some appliances inside his shop.

Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson Thobeka Mafumbatha said the municipality was working on the city’s drainage system.