KZN
1Min
South Africa
Nov 24, 2025
Rescue teams in KwaZulu-Natal’s New Hanover are racing to find more bodies after one woman’s body was recovered, as floods destroyed homes. The operation is under pressure: more rain is expected, making further recovery difficult as warnings remain in place
Rescue teams in New Hanover, KwaZulu-Natal, are racing against time as they continue searching for people swept away by the weekend’s devastating floods. One woman’s body has already been recovered, while at least two others remain missing. Recovery crews have been moving through mud-choked roads and collapsed riverbanks, using drones and heavy machinery to widen their search as the scale of destruction becomes clearer.
The South African Weather Service has warned that more rain is expected in the coming days, placing further pressure on teams who fear worsening conditions could slow or halt operations. Disaster management units have begun rapid damage assessments, with Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli describing the situation as “deeply tragic” and urging residents to stay clear of river systems and heed weather alerts.
More than 100 displaced residents are receiving temporary shelter as authorities work to stabilise the area. With infrastructure damaged, homes washed away and families still searching for loved ones, New Hanover remains on edge as the prospect of renewed rainfall threatens to complicate an already difficult rescue effort.
