Disoriented and in disbelief, but alive, a crowd of people who watched their homes wash away amid devastating floods in South Africa's coastal city of Durban queued to register for temporary shelter Wednesday.
"Everything is gone," Sinethemba Duka said repeatedly, wearing a grey floppy hat and a salmon coloured golf shirt, after only being able to recover a few pieces of clothing after the floods hit.
More than 300 people have been killed in the heaviest rain in six decades, which wreaked havoc on the city and surrounding region over the weekend, destroying homes and infrastructure.
Heavy rains near Durban in South Africa have swept away bridges and destroyed other infrastructure. Source: AP / AAP
At the storm's peak, the South African Weather Service said more than 300 mm of rain fell within a 24-hour period in some regions.
Mr Duka and dozens of other residents of the Mega Village informal settlement, or shack dwellings, south of Durban's central business district were hit badly by the heavy rain.
Residents said most homes in the area were made of corrugated iron and wooden boards -- not nearly strong enough to withstand the rushing waters.
Cars have been submerged in flood waters near Durban. Source: EPA / AAP
"I was scared," he said.
Mud and rain continued to rise for 30 minutes, forcing him to make a run for it, he said.
"The water then comes on top of my roof ... and then the roof goes and then walls fell down," he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the city on Wednesday pledging aid for those affected.
'Not enough space'
Volunteers have been helping Duka and his neighbours, which included mothers carrying infants, youths and the elderly.
"We are just helping the people because we care," said Mabheki Sokhela, who helped organise temporary shelter at a community hall.
"These are our brothers and sisters."
The worst flooding in 60 years near Durban, South Africa has destroyed dozens of homes. Source: EPA / AAP
"We are trying to accommodate these people. There is not enough space," he said.
Many would be sleeping on chairs or on cardboard on the floors of the building, he said.
Volunteers have been desperate to find food, clothes and other supplies for the flood victims.
Destroyed infrastructure including downed mobile phone networks, collapsed roads and bridges have made accessing supplies a challenge, Mr Sokhela said.
The South African Defence Force has been called in to assist in the aftermath of devastating floods near Durban. Source: EPA / AAP
Mr Sokhela said he was optimistic help would come within days as excavators and other equipment had begun to appear on roads in the area on Wednesday.
The South African Weather Service said the tropical storm had passed, but localised rainfall could be expected before the weekend.
Despite dark clouds still hanging over the city, Sokhela said he couldn't imagine more rain. The hostels in Umlazi were without electricity Wednesday and as night approached, flood victims were left registering in the dark.
If it rains again, Mr Sokhela said, "there can be more people like this."
