Floods update as at 18:00
Following the floods reported on 18 January 2012 that have caused havoc in some areas of Limpopo, the Maruleng Local Municipality Council has declared the Mulalani Village, Hoedspruit, Kampersrus and surrounding areas a disaster. The Mopani District Municipality Council will sit tomorrow to look into the declaration and take appropriate action.
Relief items received
The situation is under control - 20 families of the 220 affected in Mulalani Village have already received 10 tents, 30 blankets, 17 food parcels and 17 hygiene packs. There are 198 blankets and 40 tents, 300 food parcels available for relief, provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Center, led by the MEC for Limpopo Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Mr Soviet Lekganyane. Eskom is working on restoring electricity in the villages with the assistance of South African Police Services (SAPS).
The MEC together with the Limpopo SABC Regional Manager, Mr Victor Ravhuandzo, and Mr Khan from Limpopo Gift of the Givers, are calling everyone to help. A kitchen is setup on site and relief is provided by the Gift of the Givers and looking into efforts of accommodation for the affected communities. The South African Red Cross and the Doctors without Borders are also on site providing relief services.
Rescue and assessment teams
The teams are progressing with the search and assessment of more people in distress and the damages caused by the floods. The following role players are managing the situation, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Air force, Disaster Management (Maruleng, Mopani and COGHSTA), SAPS’ divers search and rescue teams, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Brigade.
Closed and damaged roads:
Maruleng Municipality
1. Road no D3786 from Maseke to Mashishimale; gravel materials have been eroded on the top of the culvert and safety measures will be applied.
2. Road no D1100 from D202 –P43/3 to Rubbervalley; pipe culverts washed away. There is a total cut-off of the road, safety measure will be applied.
3. Road no P181/1 from Afcalaco to the Oaks, the road was temporarily closed because of the overflow and is now opened
4. Road no P116/1 from Klasserie to Air force base, there is an overflow crossing the road.
5. Road no P116/1 at Blyde water crosses the road with trees and shrubs because of over flow of the dam.
6. Road no D240 from P116/1 to Essex there is total cut –off because of washed away culverts, safety has been applied, there are no alternative roads temporary measures will be applied i.e. stone pitching.
7. Road no D21 Afcalaco to The Oaks, accumulated sand over the road surface but ride able, arrangement has been made to remove it.
8. Road no D263 from P181/1 to D202 culvert has been washed away stone pitching was temporarily done to allow movement and now it has been washed away but not closed.
9. Road no D2119 Timbavati, two bridges were washed away and the other bridge was partially washed away an alternative road can be provided from P17/4 via D1909 to join D219 after the bridges.
10. Road no P116/1 from Manautsa Park to Hoedspruit damaged.
Tzaneen Municipality
1. Road no P17.3 from Tzaneen to Hamorny is a gravel road it has been eroded to a deeper stage and is no longer ride able water flows in the middle of the ridding surface.
2. Road no D21 from Afcolac to Harmony, bridge washed away and is totally cut-off. Temporary signs will be provided; there is an alternative road starting from P17/3.
Disaster toll free number
There are still no reported deaths thus far and a clean-up operation is continuing and communities are encouraged to participate in the clean-up operation.
Disaster Management is everybody’s business. In case of any Disaster, members of the public should report incidents to their district offices or Provincial Disaster Management Centre on the toll free number 0800 222 111.
For missing persons during disaster, members of the public should report the incident to their nearest police stations.
The MEC wishes to thank all participants in trying to bring dignity, shelter and security to the people of Maruleng Local Municipality, particularly Mulalani Village, Hoedspruit, Kampersrus and surrounding areas.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Dieketseng “Tseng” Diale
Cel: 083 652 5276
Tel: 015 294 2328
E-mail: mediaenquiry@limdlgh.gov.za
