South Africa has deployed 10,000 soldiers to help the flood-ravaged KwaZulu-Natal region recover from storms that have killed 443 people and damaged infrastructure.

On Monday, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the Army activated 10,000 troops to help with transporting humanitarian aid, provide medical support and assist with search and rescue and reconnaissance missions.

The city of Durban and the surrounding area of KwaZulu-Natal province suffered severe damage after heavy rains and floods damaged more than 550 schools and 60 health care facilities. The provincial government said that over 40,000 people have been rendered homeless. 

“The tragedy currently unfolding in our province is one of the worst natural disasters in the recorded history of our country,” KwaZulu-Natal provincial government said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had visited eThekwini last Wednesday, has announced a $68 million emergency relief fund and Deputy Social Development Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said about 340 social workers had been deployed to offer support to traumatised survivors. 

Durban’s port has been affected by the flood as terminals cannot be accessed. Operations at the port have now been suspended, according to state-owned logistics company Transnet.