The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has issued an alert about Tropical cyclone Dineo which has formed in the Mozambique channel. It is the fifth cyclone of 2016/17 southern hemisphere cyclone season.
Dineo is now focussed to strengthen quickly over the next 36 hours before making landfall over southern Mozambique on Thursday. The storm is then expected to bring flooding rains into the northeast of South Africa beginning from tomorrow (Thursday), 16 February 2017 through to the weekend.
Heavy rains and possible flooding are expected in Vhembe and Mopani districts. As we have seen and experienced in the past, flooding normally leads to water overflowing its normal channels such as streams and storm water drains damaging low lying bridges and roads.
It can as well potentially cause serious problems to public and private infrastructure such as dams and storm water systems. People living in informal settlements and those located in floodplains and farms are mostly at risk.
Arising from this alert, we have developed a contingency plan to mitigate and respond to this possible disastrous event. All district municipalities were informed about the approaching cyclone. National Disaster Management centre will activate the helicopter in case of need.
Provincial Disaster Mnanagement Centre (PMDC) will activate all its resources including all the staff. The Prov-Joint operations centre will be activated tomorrow, 16 February 2017 at 12h00.
We are on high alert and have assembled a multi-stakeholder team comprising of members of SAPS, SANDF, Traffic officials, SASSA and Ambulance services. In addition, the following precautionary measures have been undertaken.
- District Disaster Management officers, CDWs, Ward Councillors and community-based organisations have been enlisted to assist with the reporting of incidences to improve turnaround time.
- Early warning SMS service has been activated for all partners to receive information from the South African Weather Services (SAWS) on disaster alerts
As part of the plan, all Districts and Local Disaster Centres in municipalities have also been prepared to step in at any given moment. They have been allocated with resources and have plans in place to intervene should anything happen. We have dedicated and sufficient personnel with tools and vehicles assigned for this purpose. The toll free number of (0800 222 111) has been activated for 24 hours diverted to Senior Management after hours.
Warning to the Communities
We reemphasise the call we made during the festive season for community members in affected areas to remain indoors if possible. We further reiterate the need for pedestrians and motorists to stay off the roads and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above normal ground.
The following measures may also be useful to members of the public.
- If trapped in flooding in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground.
- In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level.
- Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building.
- In rural areas protect/relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground. Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water.
- Never drive on a road covered by water as you do not know how deep it is or if the road has been washed away. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Be especially cautious at night when it's harder to recognise flood dangers. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
In the main, we call on members of the community to be alert at all times and heed early warnings messages from the South African Weather Services. Our officials will continue to disseminate information over the radio and print media and to all disaster management centres. Again, Limpopo disaster toll free number is (0800 222 111) - this number will be activated 24 hours starting from today.
For more information contact:
Motupa Selomo
Cell: 082 717 0342/0724813617
E-mail: SelomoME@coghsta.limpopo.gov.za
