Mme Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, Deputy Minister of Water and Environment Affairs and the South African Weather Service, will embark on severe weather awareness road show to engage all stakeholders on issues of weather on Tuesday, 26 February 2013, at Thohoyandou Town Hall, Vhembe District Municipality, in Limpopo.
In January 2013, a severe cut-off low pressure system led to floods in the north-eastern parts of the country. The Vhembe district and north western parts of the Limpopo province, as well as parts of Mpumalanga were most affected by flooding, which swept away bridges, roads and fertile agricultural soil and also caused deaths and injuries in the areas. The Vhembe district was declared a disaster area.
Over the past years, South Africa has experienced an increase in severe weather such as flooding, lighting, thunder storms, tornadoes and in some areas excessive unbearable heat, which caused damage to property and infrastructure as well as several incidences of loss of life. The climate records of the South African Weather Service show a growing trend in extreme weather events.
Disaster preparedness is important in the case of severe weather events, therefore, the South African Weather Service, in cooperation with disaster management, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, municipalities and other role players are reaching out to affected communities through a public awareness drive that will educate the public and empower them with the ability to act.
The aim of this initiative is to develop a “weather ready” nation that knows what to do and that responds appropriately to severe weather warnings.
Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Matibe and Mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality, Cllr Mahosi will join the Deputy Minister during the road show.
Members of the Media are invited to attend the severe weather road show as follows:
Part one: Visits to affected homes
Date: Tuesday 26 February 2013
Time: 9h00
Part two: Public Participation Programme
Time: 11h00
Venue: Thohoyandou Town Hall
RSVP and media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
Kenosi Machepa
Cell: 083 259 7223
