The KwaZulu Natal (KZN) government has said it has activated disaster relief in the wake of the heavy downpours and resulting floods in Margate on the South Coast.

Five people have lost their lives as a result of the floods.

Roads, buildings and other infrastructure were damaged and the beaches of Margate were littered with trees, branches and other debris which had come down the rivers along with the massive quantities of water from inland.

A resident of the area said that the diversion of two rivers running through Margate some years ago had created a situation in which the area now flooded was often inundated when there was heavy rain inland.

Yesterday (Tuesday, Aril 16), the heavy rain had stopped, enabling Margate community members to take on much of the mopping up work themselves with many residents turning out on the beaches to help tidy up the debris and others helping teams making the roads passable in the commercial centre of the town.