Flood warnings in Inkomati and Olifants catchment
02 December 2009
The MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional
Affairs, Mr. Norman Mokoena, would like to issue a word of special warning to
people living in the Inkomati and Olifants Catchment area. “The weather
predictions have indicated that the province will be receiving some heavy rains
for the next week. Coupled with the rains that have been falling over the past
few days, some of our dams are already at 100% in the province” said MEC Mokoena.
Areas of concern are the Inkomati River at the Swaziland Border,
Komatipoort, Crocodile River Tenbosch, Crocodile River at Malelane, Kaapriver
Kaapmuiden, Sabie River at Lower Sabie, Steenkool Spruit (Kriel), Olifants River
at Witbank dam and Olifants River at Flagboshielo. All the above points have
recorded the peal flow measurement of just over 100 cumec.
Dams that are already 100% full include the Inyaka , Maguga ,
Nooitgedacht, and Vygeboom, in the Inkomati catchement and
Bronkhorstpruit, Buffelskloof, Klaserie, Loskop, Rust De Winter and
Tonteldoos Dams in the Olifants Catchment.
MEC Mokoena has also advised all municipalities to be on full alert for
any possible flooding during the rains. “We urge people living in low lying
areas and next flood lines to be extremely cautious. People must move away from
river banks and they must avoid crossing full rivers and over flowing bridges”
added Mokoena.
In an effort to deal with the possible threat caused by the rains MEC
Mokoena has convened an urgent meeting on Thursday 03 December with the
Executive Mayors, Disaster Management Teams and members of the Joint Operations
Committees of the following municipalities, which face the highest threats:
Steve Tshwete, Dr JS Moroka, Emalahleni, Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, Mbombela, Govan
Mbeki, Pixely Ka Seme and the three Districts: Nkangala, Gert Sibande and
Ehlanzeni.
Communities are urged to report any possible floods or storms, to the department’s disaster toll free number 0800 20 25 07
