Three bodies recovered in NWest flood
The bodies of three people who were swept by floods were recovered by rescue teams in Marikana and Mogwase brining to four the number of people who drowned during floods in the past two weeks, the North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre confirmed on Friday.
Two bodies of two male adults were recovered in Marikana while that of a boy was recovered in Mogwase.
The search for the second missing child has been called off after the centre realised that the Mogwase incident involved only one child and that the earlier reports were as result of double reporting of the same incident.
In conveying condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the flooding, Premier Thandi Modise appealed to motorists and pedestrians crossing flooding rivers to exercise extreme caution and not to underestimate flood currents.
"We appeal to people not to ignore flood warning signs and advise to use alternative routes. Parents should warn children against swimming in streams," Premier Modise said.
Modise expressed her gratitude to disaster management centres, municipalities, law enforcement officers, rescue teams for going the extra-mile to ensure that relief efforts reach those affected by the floods and that social relief of distress grants were processed to deserving families.
She said that a comprehensive impact assessment report will inform where intervention and additional support is required.
Seven bridges which were washed away have already been identified for repair and or reconstruction. Over 600 people across the province were temporarily displaced by the floods in the past few days.
