South Africa’s president has declared a nation-wide state of disaster, after unprecedented rainfall on the country’s eastern coast displaced around 40,000 people and left more than 400 dead.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that severe flooding had completely destroyed nearly 4,000 homes near the city of Durban, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. 

In Ntuzuma, on the outskirts of Durban, a bridge was washed away by the heaviest rainfall in the region for the last 60 years. Local media reported that mudslides had killed several people and buried houses in townships surrounding the city.

Mr Ramaphosa added that the Port of Durban – one of the largest shipping terminals in Africa – was severely affected. Dozens of heavy shipping containers were dislodged from storage and strewn across the Indian Ocean port during the deluge, according to local reports.

“Over the last week, communities along parts of our eastern coast have been devastated by catastrophic flooding,” the president said. “This is a humanitarian disaster that calls for a massive and urgent relief effort. The lives, health and well-being of thousands of people are still at risk.”

Mr Ramaphosa instructed the national defence force to deploy 10,000 troops to the devastated region, which is home to more than 11 million people. 

The soldiers will deliver medical aid and help with rescue missions to recover the 63 people who are still missing. 

An emergency relief fund for $68.3 million (£52.35 million) has also been created.