Torrential rains unleashed flash floods in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, wreaking havoc and leaving a trail of destruction in northern Durban and the north coast. Emergency workers toiled tirelessly as the deluge triggered a staggering 157 calls for assistance, with four individuals reported missing as a result of the disaster, as per IOL reports.
Samantha Meyrick, a spokesperson for IPSS Medical Search and Rescue, confirmed the search for the missing individuals, underscoring the grim aftermath of the calamity.
The province has grappled with the grim toll of extreme weather, with over 40 casualties recorded in December and January, as disclosed by the KZN Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
Throughout Africa, 2023 bore witness to a series of catastrophic events, including fatal floods, severe droughts, and rampant wildfires, casting an ominous light on the planet’s shifting climate. The World Health Organization sounded the alarm, branding climate change as the paramount threat to global health. However, amidst the dire warnings, scientists articulated that concerted and expeditious climate action could avert the worst repercussions. Ambitious objectives encompassed a cessation of coal usage, a transition to zero-emission automobiles within two decades, and an end to deforestation by the close of the 2020s.
According to the WHO, the far-reaching health ramifications of climate change have already galvanized a response from medical professionals worldwide. The ripple effects are manifold, with a surge in extreme climatic upheavals triggering mass displacements, exacerbating vulnerability, and elevating the risk of tuberculosis transmission. This crisis disrupts tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment services, fostering an environment conducive to the emergence of active tuberculosis cases.
