Two children missing, bridges washed away in North West floods
Two children whose ages have not been confirmed are reportedly missing after they were swept by floods as a result of heavy rains experienced in Mogwase Township near Sun City outside Rustenburg on Thursday afternoon.
The Bojanala Platinum Disaster Management, Moses Kotane Fire and Emergency, a search and rescue team and police are at the scene. Relief efforts have also been mobilised to assist 500 learners residing at boarding residences at Orbit College and Holy Family School in Mabele-a-Pudi Village who were also affected by flooding.
Premier Thandi Modise who has expressed concern about the missing children is scheduled to visit the scenes tomorrow morning. More flooding incidents were reported in Madibeng Local Municipality. Six bridges were also washed away in Klipgat (4) and one in Maboloka and Jericho respectively.
Flooding was also experienced in Letlhabile Block I and G due to lack of storm water drainage. Roads in Segwaelane village which was also flooded were also muddy and slippery.
One hundred and fifty households in Segwaelane, Majakaneng, Mothotlung, Oukasie, Maboloka, Bapong, Letlhabile, Mmakau and Primendia in the municipality were last week affected by the floods. Relief efforts that included counselling, tents, blankets, food parcels and Social Relief of Distress grants were rolled out to the said communities.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre which has earlier in the week issued an early flood warning to all municipalities reported that the Department of Water Affairs is regulating the outflow of water from Hartbeespoort Dam which is full.
It also reiterated its appeal to motorists and pedestrians crossing flooding rivers to exercise extreme caution and not to underestimate flood currents. Tlokwe, Matlosana, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and Lekwa Teemane municipalities are monitoring the Vaal River level.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
