Heavy rains around the country
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has advised Provincial and Municipal Disaster Management Centres in provinces affected by recent floods to begin the necessary response preparedness which includes continually monitoring the situation and coordinating the necessary relief aid and rescue operations through the Joint Operations Centres that have already been activated for this purpose. Incidents of flooding were reported from early last week over the eastern parts of North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces as well as parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
Incidents range from damaged housing infrastructures and washed away roads and bridges. Four (4) people are reported to have lost their lives due to drowning and 290 are displaced. Twelve (12) people have been rescued and one was reported missing. The NDMC has further requested the SANDF to be on standby with helicopters to rescue flood victims.
Communities living in flood prone areas are urged to take extra precaution and motorists are also encouraged to remain vigilant while driving under wet conditions to minimise accidents on the roads. The NDMC encourages the public to regularly follow weather forecasts in the media for information on the weather and contact their local authorities for assistance.
The NDMC is ready to assist with search and rescue services as well as emergency relief funding should this be required by the affected provinces. It is in constant communication with the SA Weather Services, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and NATJOINTS structures as well as the Provincial Disaster Management Centres to ensure the effective coordination of the issuing of warnings as well as relief and rescue services.
For enquiries:
Mpho Lekgoro
Cell: 071 607 3081
Tsakani Baloyi
Cell: 082 052 0892
