The sinkhole caused massive damage, forcing a family to evacuate during the heavy rains
Image: Supplied
AFTER heavy rains caused a sinkhole to form in Chatsworth, a family was evacuated from their home as the city's disaster management faced criticism for not responding.
Denzil Davan, chairperson of the Mobeni Heights Civic Association, slammed the city’s disaster management teams for not responding to calls for help during last night’s storm.
“We received messages at around 2am from the neighbour of the affected. Their home flooded when the road washed away and a sinkhole formed.
“We couldn't get too many details at the time including how many people were in the home at the time. But we did what we could and made sure everybody was evacuated. The main water line, which is situated outside the home, had also burst. Water and sand gushed into the family’s home.
The home was flooded due to the sand and gushing water during the heavy rainfall, and from a burst pipe.
Image: ALS Paramedics
“We called the eThekwini disaster management line but it was impossible to get help from them. We were met with messages saying there were no vehicles available. We understand that the heavy rains impacted the whole of Durban. But this is not how disaster management should work.
“There should be better plans and resources set aside for such disasters. In fact this was minor compared to the previous disasters experienced in eThekwini. The municipality could not even get anyone out to the area to close the water main. It was six hours later and the water still gushed from the burst pipe. We were told there were no plumbers available.
“Besides the poor response to disaster management, the day-to-day functioning of the municipality is a problem,” he added.
He said kind neighbours had opened their homes and hearts to the affected family.
“We will be out in the area today, assessing other homes and roads which were damaged. We are thankful that there were no injuries or fatalities. A boundary wall collapsed at a temple in the area, and we will be assisting them to clear up ahead of the Shivaratri prayers this afternoon.
“We invite residents to join us in our mop up operation to clear debris and sand from the roads, and assist with boundary wall collapses and mudslides,” added Davan.