The number of people who lost their lives in the flood disaster that hit South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province increased to 253, Health Chief Nomagugu Simelane announced. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the flood-stricken state, which has displaced thousands of people and severely damaged bridges, houses and roads. Hundreds of shipping containers swept away by flood waters near Durban. Ramaphosa said the dire situation in KwaZulu-Natal is the worst the state has ever experienced.

KwaZulu-Natal has been declared a disaster area, while the weather service has warned that more heavy rains are expected in parts of the state from Friday.