JOHANNESBURG, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains that recently fell in various parts of South Africa's eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal have left five people dead and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, local government officials said on Tuesday.

       The province experienced heavy rains on Sunday and Monday, leading to the destruction of homes and infrastructure, said Nomusa Dube-Ncube, premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province.

       Three people drowned when the vehicle they were traveling in was washed away, while another person was struck by lightning, Dube-Ncube said, adding that one person fell from the roof of a house while trying to escape the flooded interior.

       "It saddens us that so many people's lives were suddenly upended by the floods that swept through these communities with devastating force. We will once again come together as a province to support them during this difficult period. We also share in the deep sense of loss with those whose properties and businesses were partially or completely destroyed," said Dube-Ncube.

       Disaster management teams are currently conducting mop-up operations, according to Dube-Ncube, who called on people, particularly those living in low-lying areas, to exercise extreme caution.