The Premier of the Northern Cape province Ms Hazel Jenkins has today, 3 February 2011 undertaken an aerial trip with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to familiarise herself and assessed the extent of the damage caused by the floods in the Keimoes and Kakamas areas known as the Lower Orange.
She was also briefed about the extent of the damaged caused by the floods by Provincial Disaster Management Joint Operations Team and Intergovernmental Disaster Management Team.
According to them the current status of the water levels are 7,42 metres high and is expected to go down to 7 metres and remain like that for the rest of the week. There is however concern that the Gariep and Bloemhof dams are over their capacities and the water levels might rise again when the sluices are open.
The national road between Groblershoop and Upington has never been closed and the only road that is closed is the road between Kakamas and Springbok. The traffic department have is set up a road block to indicate to road users that the road is close.
All the people that are living close to the river on the islands in Keimoes have been evacuated and they are staying at the Oranje Zich hostel in Keimoes. There are some school that have been affected. About 320 learners in Lutzburg and Kakamas could not go to school.
The Premier has pledged the collective support of government to the multitude of displaced people, the farmers who have suffered great loses and extended her condolences to the families of the people who have lost their beloved ones as a result of the floods. According to a report five people have drowned in this area. “It is sad and unfortunate for this people to have drowned,” she said. She cautioned people not to walk and play in the water due to strong water currents.
She has also signed the provincial business plan which has been send to the Presidency requesting for urgent funding from the disaster management fund to assist with the disaster relief.
According to her, she now has a full understanding of the extent of the severity of the damage and destruction caused by the floods, and is confident that government in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders will respond accordingly. She is also pleased by the interventions and response of government to deal with the floods and the many lives that were saved.
She has also commended the many volunteers who have assisted and provided relief to the many people who were displaced. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the SANDF for evacuating people, Department of Social Services, department who provided food parcels, blankets, mattresses, clothing and trauma counselling and Department of Health for the mobile clinics and monitoring the outbreak of any diseases, education for the recovery plan for learners to catch up in afternoon and weekend classes. The Department of Agriculture will lead the interaction of government with the farmers and all the three affected municipalities are cooperating very well with the disaster management teams.
The provincial government is committed to work with all the partners including the business sector to assist and provide immediate relief to affected communities.
Enquiries:
Mafu Davids
Cell: 082 316 6000
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
