At least 45 people in South Africa have been killed in floods caused by days of heavy rain, the authorities say.
It happened in the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, where many people are still missing and emergency services are searching for survivors.
Some in the city of Durban are standing on rooftops awaiting rescue, but local media report that only one helicopter is available to lift people away.
Key roads across the city are shut and mudslides have destroyed many homes.
It comes as scientists warn that climate change is fuelling heavier rainfall than usual in southern Africa.
- Riots in South Africa could lead to environmental disaster
- South Africa fears food, fuel and medicine shortages due to unrest
The mayor of eThekwini – which is the area including Durban and its surrounding towns – has apologised to residents who were left stranded after the emergency call centre was overwhelmed overnight.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda also says efforts are under way to restore water and electricity supplies that have been cut to parts of the city, after most of the city’s electricity power stations were flooded on Monday evening and a number of water treatment plants were damaged.
Residents who fear their homes may collapse should seek shelter in community halls, Mayor Kaunda advises.
South Africans have been posting photos online of the destruction, including this collapsed road in the resort town of Umdloti:
Another man shared footage what he said was a destroyed bridge in the Everton conservancy, just outside of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality:
More rainfall is expected across southern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, according to the South African Weather Service, which is advising citizens to stay clear of flooded roads and bridges.
