The direct and indirect climate change impacts, loss and damages in selected at-risk communities in Durban as a result of the April 2022 floods

The report provides an evidence-based narrative of the April 2022 floods in Durban, which saw 304-311 mm of rain in 24 hours, resulting in 450 deaths and 40,000 displaced people. It evaluates the city's resilience strategies, such as the Community Based Early Flood Warning System (CBFEWS) and the Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP), while detailing the devastating cumulative impacts on vulnerable populations. Through five case studies—including the Quarry Road West informal settlement and the Dassenhoek peri-urban area—the document highlights profound material loss, psychological trauma, and the erosion of development gains, arguing that such events serve as proxies for the broader impacts of climate change.

• The April 2022 flood event was extreme, with rainfall between 304 and 311 mm falling over Durban in 24 hours, which represents approximately 30% of the mean annual rainfall. This resulted in 450 deaths, the displacement of 40,000 people, and damage to or destruction of more than 4,000 homes.
• Durban has implemented several resilience and adaptation measures, including the Community Based Early Flood Warning System (CBFEWS) in the Palmiet Catchment, which is credited with saving between 250 and 400 lives in the Quarry Road West informal settlement during the 2022 floods.
• The city's Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP), launched in 2021, focuses on nature-based solutions and ecological infrastructure. A business case for the TRMP indicates that every R1 spent on catchment rehabilitation yields between R1.80 and R3.40 in municipal and societal benefits, with a potential for R12 to R14 billion in total societal benefits and the creation of over 9,000 jobs.
• The Quarry Road West informal settlement demonstrates the cumulative eroding effect of disasters; the 2022 floods followed a significant flood in April 2019 and two major fires in July 2021 and November 2023, which together undermine development gains and erode community resilience.
• In the Quarry Road West settlement, the 2022 floods caused the loss of over 250 houses and the destruction of a communal ablution block and a vegetable shop. Residents face severe financial loss, as established informal houses can be valued between R30,000 and R50,000, and small businesses can earn R4,000 to R10,000 per month.
• Peri-urban areas under dual governance, such as Dassenhoek, are particularly vulnerable because building codes and regulations are often not upheld. This was evidenced by a localized landslide that destroyed a seven-room house and washed away family graves.
• Even in middle-to-upper income suburbs like Westville, the floods caused significant damage, including the collapse of retaining walls. Recovery is hindered by slow insurance responses and the use of under-qualified contractors, leading to further structural failures.
• The floods caused widespread psychological trauma across all socio-economic groups. Common symptoms include fear and stress triggered by the sound of rain, feelings of helplessness, and long-term mental health struggles requiring professional counselling.
• The report argues that while there is debate on whether the 2022 event was a 1:150 year flood or directly caused by climate change, it serves as a 'climate analogue' or proxy, reflecting the increased intensity and frequency of storm systems in Southern Africa's eastern parts.

APA

Sutherland, C. (2024). The direct and indirect climate change impacts, loss and damages in selected at-risk communities in Durban as a result of the April 2022 floods. Centre for Environmental Rights. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CER-Report-Sutherland-FINAL-28-Feb-2024.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Sutherland, Cathy. The direct and indirect climate change impacts, loss and damages in selected at-risk communities in Durban as a result of the April 2022 floods. Centre for Environmental Rights, 2024. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CER-Report-Sutherland-FINAL-28-Feb-2024.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sutherland |first1=Cathy |title=The direct and indirect climate change impacts, loss and damages in selected at-risk communities in Durban as a result of the April 2022 floods |publisher=Centre for Environmental Rights |date=23 February 2024 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CER-Report-Sutherland-FINAL-28-Feb-2024.pdf?x21779 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sutherland2024direct, author = {Sutherland, Cathy}, title = {{The direct and indirect climate change impacts, loss and damages in selected at-risk communities in Durban as a result of the April 2022 floods}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CER-Report-Sutherland-FINAL-28-Feb-2024.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }