The National Disaster Management Centre’s (NDMC) National Joint Operations Centre has concluded its verification and assessments of natural disasters’ damage in all eight affected provinces which gives a broad picture of the nature of the damage and the required immediate, medium and long term interventions.
The NDMC has from 7 to 17 February led senior officials from national and provincial government on a visit to areas that were recently affected by the natural disasters from mid-December 2010 to date.
The recently concluded assessments have confirmed that natural disasters have affected all eight provinces differently with most damages having been broadly recorded on collapsed or partially damaged bridges, collapsed or partially damaged schools, disruption of water reticulation services, damaged roads, damages to water and agricultural crops, livestock and infrastructure.
In the Northern Cape, preliminary assessments indicate that 923 cotton, vineyards, lucerne and maize farms were affected as a result of heavy rains and subsequent flooding. Twenty (20) uninsured houses were washed away in the Gariep Local Municipality and Siyanda District Municipality. Four primary schools were cut off because of floods but there were no schools damaged.
In Free State vegetables and field crops, fruit and vines in 325 farms were affected in Fezile Dabi, Thaba Mofutsanyana, Xhariep and Lejweputswa disaster areas. Preliminary assessments indicate that 33 schools, 1 515 houses and 1 421 shacks in the disaster areas were damaged.
In KwaZulu-Natal Umzinyathi, UMgungundlovu, Uthukela and Amajuba districts, twelve farms and 162 farmers were affected where maize, soybean and vegetables were damaged; and a total of 12 cattle lost. It is estimated that 97 schools, 11 bridges, 6 238 houses and almost 2 497 kilometres of road was damaged.
In the Eastern Cape OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Amathole districts, hail and floods resulted in damaged maize, beans, vegetables fields and a loss of 839 chickens, 415 sheep and 20 goats.
In Limpopo Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Mopani districts, recent natural disasters damaged potatoes, maize, sweet potato, groundnuts, cotton, citrus and cabbages in 84 farms. Two-hundred and seventy-two (272) farmers and 187 farm workers have been affected. A total of 104 schools are estimated to have been damaged resulting in 19 000 learners being affected.
In the North West, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr RS Mogomotsi and Kenneth Kaunda disaster areas, 74 sunflowers, orchards and maize farms were damaged. The assessments indicates that 13 schools, 1 560 houses, 11 roads, 21 bridges were affected.
In Mpumalanga, Ehlazeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts crops and livestock were affected. Twenty-eight farms recorded damage to soya beans, sunflower, maize and loss of cattle, sheep and goats. A total of 42 schools are estimated to be affected.
In Gauteng 1 847 houses have been damaged and 33 farms have experienced damages on agricultural infrastructure relating to irrigation systems, fences and poultry structures. Most of this infrastructure was either blown away by strong winds or washed away by water during the flooding period.
Government and its partners from private and the non-governmental sector continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to affected communities. Food parcels and alternative shelter has been provided to affected families since the beginning of the heavy rains in December. The Department of Social Development has led government in this regard.
The NDMC will present the findings of its assessments to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disasters with recommendations for medium and long term recovery and rehabilitation measures to be undertaken by government and its partners.
Enquiries:
Vuyelwa Qinga
Tel: 012 334 0993
Cell: 082 877 3898
