Update on floods in Mpumalanga
As from 16 January 2012 the province has been experiencing heavy
rainfalls in the Lowveld area. All Ehlanzeni
Municipalities reported damages. Heavy rains impacted on river flows and dam
levels which resulted in the closure of low lying bridges and some access roads.
A number of households were also affected.
A Joint Operation Committee was established on 18 January 2012 to establish the extent of damages and interventions required in the province. Reports up to this morning indicate the following damages in the province.
The Ntunda, Sibange, Langeloop and Masibekela water treatment plants have been affected. Water tankers will provide water to the affected areas.
The following bridges have been affected Dreikoppies, Phiva, Dhludhluma and Komatidraai are underwater. The Municipality will provide signage and traffic will be rerouted to alternative routes and alert communities.
The following roads have been affected with pot holes and
debris: D 2950 – Naas to Ngwenyeni, D 797 – Block A to Naas, D 2952 – Mdzabu to
Khombaso and Hoyi.
COGTA will engage the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and SANRAL for repair of the damages.
14 families needed to be relocated and they will be provided temporary shelter at the local churches. 16 families were affected without needing to be relocated. All the affected families will be provided with food parcels and blankets.
The department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional
Affairs has provided 200 000 sachets and Ehlanzeni District Municipality has
provided 50 000 sachets to assist purify water in Nkomazi.
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality 26 households were flooded and 106 people were affected. 3 bridges were flooded. The affected families will be provided with relief in the form food parcels, blankets and tents.
In Umjindi Local municipality, 57 mud houses have been damaged and the affected families will be provided with tents and food parcels.
In Mbombela 8 houses have been damaged and the access roads in Nsikazi North and South have been damaged. The affected families will be assisted with tents, blankets and food parcels.
In Bushbuckridge 21 households have been affected and only 5 of these need tents. The 5 households will be provided with tents.
All the affected households will be provided with
immediate relief in the form of tents, blankets and food parcels.
The Department of Human Settlement will conduct an assessment of the damaged houses to determine what assistance can be provided to the affected households through the Emergency Disaster Housing fund.
The Department of Health will continue to monitor the
situation for any outbreaks of waterborne diseases in all municipalities.
The following rivers: Olifants, Komati, Lomati, Cocodile
and Sabie were reported to be flooding but with stopping of the rain are on the
decrease. Whilst the river levels are on the decrease the department has
instructed all municipalities to be on full alert and on standby as the rains
are predicted to continue. The Provincial and Local Joint Operations Committees
have been activated will continue to monitor the situation. The Provincial
Joints Operation Committee, both Political and Technical have met to assess the
extent of the damage and draw up an action plan to address the damages caused by
the floods.
People are urged not to be drawn into a sense of lull because of the decreasing water levels but to continue to be on full alert. Parents are urged to warn children not to play next to streams and rivers. A special caution is issued to all learners not to cross full rivers and bridges. All road users are urged to be extremely cautious on the roads as they are wet and rocks might have fallen in some areas.
In the event of possible flooding communities must call the Department’s Disaster toll free number 0800202507.
Contact Persons:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Mohlalefi Lebotha
Cell: 082 852 0502
Issued by: The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
