Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre update

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - As today marks day nine since the heavy rain and flooding across the Garden Route, mopping-up operations across the district are continuing.

Teams monitored the situation around the Breede River throughout last night, with the river peaking at Witsand at approximately 02:00. Water levels are now dropping noticeably.

Several areas on the Overberg side of the Breede River remain flooded. However, on the Garden Route side, no people are currently reported to be stranded.

Our main concern today remains the restoration of electricity. We are aware that Nature’s Valley, Covey area, Kurland, Kranshoek, and Harkerville have all been without electricity for nine days, which remains a serious concern.

George Municipality has also indicated that areas in Wilderness, the Wilderness CBD, Wilderness Heights, Wilderness East, Victoria Bay, Hoekwil, Pine Dew and many area in George remain without electricity.

Teams are actively working to restore power to these areas as soon as possible.

Requests have been made to Eskom for estimated restoration times for the affected communities.

The four 375mm pipes installed on the N2 at KwaNokuthula have resulted in water levels dropping significantly, allowing engineers access to the blocked culvert. The N2 at this section has since been reopened, as the temporary drainage pipes are now in place.

As reported yesterday, it has come to our attention that electrical cables and transformers are being stolen in affected areas, placing additional pressure on municipal electricity departments and Eskom as they work to restore power.

The assistance of the South African Police Service and related structures has been requested after incidents were identified where areas that were ready to be re-energised could not be switched on due to cable theft that occurred while the electricity network remained inactive.

A request has been made for the District Roads Engineer to again prioritise efforts to reopen the Matjiesrivier road, which remains the only access route to communities cut off towards the Cango Caves area and the areas situated north of Oudtshoorn.

At this stage, no additional fatalities have been reported, keeping the total number of lives lost in the district at two.

Lastly, we once again want to emphasise that river currents in various areas remain extremely strong.

Residents are strongly urged not to attempt crossing rivers or flooded areas, as conditions remain highly dangerous and pose a significant risk to life.

According to the South African Weather Service, clear conditions are expected over the next seven days across the Western Cape.

Humanitarian assistance

Approximately 300 people are still being accommodated in community halls across the district, while more than 1 470 people in the Bitou area have been provided with meals, as many areas there remain without electricity.

Food parcel deliveries to cut-off areas in the Karoo, Kammanassie, along the N9, De Vlugt, Bo-Kouga, Vaalwater, and Matjiesrivier were concluded yesterday.

Priorities for today, 14 May

The main priority is to reopen the Matjiesrivier road and other areas where communities are still cut off.

A helicopter will be available today to assist with the delivery of 24 food parcels to residents in the Uniondale, Haarlem, Bo-Kouga, and surrounding areas where communities remain cut off.

District Roads Engineer to work on prioritising re-establish connection to Kammanassie and areas still cut off.

Teams are still busy removing trees that were blown over and the public is urged to contact the GRDM Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071 / or Whatsapp 081 709 5193 to report trees that poses a threat, especially on the main roads.

Status of roads

Work on the N2 at KwaNokuthula is still in progress.

Disaster-related updates are published by Local Government here:

The GRDM Disaster Management encourages the public to report flood-related incidents to the 24/7 Emergency Call Centre of GRM, 044 805 5071 or Whatsapp 081 709 5193.

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