45 people have been confirmed killed in overnight floods in the South Africa coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal caused by days of heavy and intensive rain, authorities say on Tuesday.
Many people have also been confirmed missing while emergency service workers say they have searching for survivors.
The statement said some people in the city were standing on rooftops awaiting rescue, but local media report that only one helicopter is available to lift people away as key roads across the city were shut.
Scientists in South Africa had already warned that climate change is fuelling heavier rainfall than usual, with devastating effects to follow.
The mayor of eThekwini which is the area including Durban and its surrounding towns, Mxolisi Kaunda, in his own message, apologised to residents who were left stranded after emergency call centre was overwhelmed overnight.
Mayor Kaunda said efforts were under way to restore water and electricity supplies that have been cut to parts of the city, after most of the city’s electricity power stations were flooded on Monday evening and a number of water treatment plants were damaged.
“Residents who fear their homes may collapse should seek shelter in community halls,” Kaunda advised.
According to the South African Weather Service, more rainfall is expected across southern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, and has advised citizens to stay clear of flooded roads and bridges.