SOUTH AFRICA: Severe rains in KwaZulu-Natal has had tragic overnight consequences. The Durban floods have claimed the lives of 32 residents, including four who were caught in a house that collapsed. The rain has battered eThekwini and there was traffic chaos all across the municipality on Tuesday morning.

Weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal worsened significantly across the province last night resulting in loss of life and property in and around Durban.

Over 2 000 emergency calls were logged last night.

KZN has experienced heavy rainfall since the start of the Easter weekend, which contributed to the collapse of the Pentecostal Holiness Church near Empangeni. The incident claimed 13 lives and several others sustained injuries.

In a joint statement, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and eThekwini Metro said they have reports of collapsed walls and mudslides as well as roads that have been flooded.

Parts of the province are also experiencing power failures as a result of the extreme weather.

agencies