NSRI are appealing to parents, guardians, caregivers and teachers to tell children under their care to exercise caution during the heavy rainfall.
Children must be told not to walk near, around or to cross, swollen, flooded rivers. They are also urged to be cautious around all bodies of water and costal waters.
NSRI are appealing to the public in general to be cautious during this time following the SA Weather Service forecast of heavy rains expected around Kwa-Zulu Natal and surrounding areas over the next few days.
On Tuesday 12 November, NSRI Ballito, the SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Police K9 Search and Rescue, IPSS medical rescue, Kwadakuza Municipal lifeguards, Kwadakuzu Municipal Fire and Rescue Services responded to Nonoti River, Darnell, where a 7-year-old male learner was swept off a bridge and declared missing.
An extensive search, including IPSS medical rescue launching a craft onto the water to assist in the search, was carried out in a swollen and rapidly flowing river, inclement weather and lightening.
The multiple joint rescue team resumed that search on Wednesday morning and the joint rescue teams have also been deployed to Umvoti River, in the Glendale area.
Two further drowning accidents were reported to Police during Tuesday night and early hours of Wednesday morning in the same area. It is suspected that these are flood water-related drowning incidents. Police are investigating.
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