𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. It was a perfect storm of poorly maintained drainage systems and a predictable, periodic deluge intensified by climate change. But this was not the first time KwaZulu-Natal suffered severe storms and flooding. So, why were early warning systems and mitigation measures not put in place to protect the people of Durban against landslides and loss of life? Carte Blanche assesses the hundreds of millions of rands in damage to roads, bridges, schools and clinics – the bitter price of an unpredictable climate and inadequate maintenance.