Programme Director;
Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality: Cllr Matibe;
Mayor of Thulamela Municipality: Cllr Mahosi;
Councillors;
CEO of the South African Weather Service: Dr Makuleni
Representatives from Disaster Management;
South African Weather Service Top Management and Staff;
Senior government officials;
Members of the community;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen.
Ndi Matsheloni.
Let me convey our sincere appreciation to the leadership and community members of Vhembe District Municipality under the stewardship of Your Worship, the Executive Mayor, Councillor Matibe for the warmth welcome here in the far northern part of Limpopo Province – Africa’s Eden.
Allow me from the onset to commend the South African Weather Service, municipalities, provincial and local disaster management structures, and community leaders for their commitment and dedication shown towards this initiative that seeks to raise awareness on severe weather patterns and I hope that the community members will become empowered in terms of weather awareness today.
We are gathered here today as we recover from the tragic and disastrous severe weather events. In January 2013, a severe cut-off low pressure system led to floods in the north-eastern parts of the country. The Vhembe district and north western parts of the Limpopo province, as well as parts of Mpumalanga were most affected by flooding, which swept away bridges, roads and fertile agricultural soil and also caused deaths and injuries in the areas. The Vhembe district was declared a disaster area.
Over the past years, South Africa has experienced an increase in severe weather such as flooding, lighting, thunder storms, tornadoes and in some areas excessive unbearable heat.
If we just look at the beginning of 2011, we recall reports on the enormous impacts that floods had on South Africa during the period December 2010 until February 2011. Infrastructure damage of around R3.6 million was done, while the preliminary estimate for agricultural damage (as done by the Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) amounted to R400 million. More than 14 400 households were influenced by flood damage, while in the Northern Cape alone, 923 farms were affected.
The rest of the country did not have it any easier, as the records of the South African Weather Service show that in the Limpopo province, North West, Mpumalanga, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal hundreds of farms, farm workers, animals and infrastructure were affected.
Flooding occurs when water overflows its normal channels, such as streams and storm water drains, due to prolonged periods of rain or in the form of flash floods, which are usually associated with severe thunderstorms.
Just 15 cm of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of 60 cm will float your car! Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water. Stop! Turn around and go another way.
If possible, stay indoors and off the roads;
Be on the lookout for weather warnings on radio, TV, the internet and social media;
Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams;
Move to higher ground;
If your car gets stuck in a flood, get out and climb to higher ground;
Move valuables to a safe place in buildings, above the expected flood level;
Switch off electricity at the supply point;
Relocate your animals to a safe place;
If evacuation is recommended, abandon your home immediately, before access is cut off by flood water;
Never drive into water covering the road. You don’t know how deep it is or if the road is washed out.
We know that flooding is not the only severe weather hazard that can destroy life and property. One of the most disturbing weather hazards is lightning, the impact of which can be reduced if communities know the precautionary measures. I am alarmed at the number of deaths that have once again occurred during summer, due to lightning.
I want to appeal to all present here today to really spread the word that lightning is dangerous and that one must take proper precautions.
The golden rule would be to seek shelter when cloud build-up and thunderstorms start – lightning can strike anywhere and it is best to be indoors.
We cannot prevent hazardous weather from happening, but we can take steps to prevent them from becoming disasters, or at least lessen the impact of these disasters. Members of the public need to take note of the daily weather forecasts and take steps for their safety when severe weather approaches. If needs be, follow evacuation instructions and thereby save your own lives.
For South Africans to be safeguarded against weather hazards, the South African Weather Service cooperates at many levels on an international as well as national scale. It monitors the weather 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides information about forecasts, discomfort indexes, possibilities of drought and flooding, climate information and much more, to the media, public and disaster management centres via an advanced technological network. One of our most important partners in mitigating weather disasters is the local Disaster Management structure.
Different structures at municipal level are responsible to receive warnings of expected severe weather and warn communities in advance.
Disaster preparedness is important in the case of severe weather events, therefore, the South African Weather Service, in cooperation with disaster management, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, municipalities and other role players are reaching out to affected communities through a public awareness drive that will educate the public and empower them with the ability to act.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African Weather Service are committed to reducing the impact of these disasters by investing in the latest and most technologically advanced equipment that aids us in the monitoring and prediction of weather patterns and the collection of related climatic data.
The South African Weather Service has implemented an enhanced national weather observation network, which has resulted in a synthesis of more accurate weather and climate information, helping us to provide early warning systems to the Republic of South Africa.
Let me end by this words articulated by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma during his response to the debate on the state of the nation address,
I quote.
“As we move to the 20th anniversary of freedom, there should emerge a common thread of patriotism that binds us. We should put South Africa first. All of us have a patriotic duty and responsibility to build and promote our country. Rhetoric and grandstanding is a luxury the country cannot afford”.
I hope that you all derived great value from the presentations and discussions today and that this initiative has created a much higher awareness about weather.
Ndo Livhuwa.
