Fake S Coast flood posts slammmed

UNNECESSARY STRESS

- SIPHO JACK

KwaZulu-Natal, local leaders and tourism officials address the spread of misinformation on social media, assuring visitors of the region's safety and resilience. by Supplied

(Supplied)

AS KWAZULU-Natalians battle to mop up after sudden torrential rains, Mandy Massey from the South Coast Tourism Development Authority has called for calm following a wave of misinformation that has swept across social media.

Massey clarified that many images and videos circulating online after Sunday's downpour were not from the recent rains but from 2023.

The rainfall on Sunday was intense, with some areas receiving up to 160mm in just four hours, which left local infrastructure struggling to cope, causing temporary flooding in various sectors, particularly in local businesses.

Massey said local government officials and business leaders wanted the public to know that the conditions were not as dire as suggested by misleading online posts.

"We had significant rainfall after 4.30pm on Sunday, leading to localised flooding. It just makes common sense that with such an enormous amount of rain in a short period, there's no place for the water to go," Massey said.