Disruptive rain storms in the province
The Northern Cape province continues to experience disruptive rain storms which have caused flooding in almost all districts in the province. The John Taolo Gaetsewe district is one of the worst affected.
Teams from disaster management centres in all the affected municipalities have been on the ground since the beginning of these disruptive rainfalls to conduct impact assessments in order to determine the extent of the damages in these areas. Provincial government stakeholders’ engagements are being held to come up with multi-sectoral approach interventions and coordination measures.
The worst hit areas are Ga-segonyana and Joe Morolong in John Taolo Gaetsewe district. A large number of houses were affected, streets were flooded and 3 sink holes were discovered in Batlharos and two in Wrenchville.
As part of the intervention, the municipality used floatable suction pumps and portable pumps to drain water from houses and streets. Efforts to assist affected families through social relief is advised.
In Joe Morolong local municipality houses in 36 villages were affected and roads were flooded. Floatable suction pumps, portable pumps as well as water trucks were used as part of intervention. The municipality is in the process of applying for emergency housing for the affected families.
The Department of Roads and Public Works already conducted a comprehensive assessment on the R31 road in terms of the damage which will determine the maintenance strategy. The construction was intended to commence on Tuesday 02 February 2021. Trucks and workforce were been deployed, however due to the inclement weather, construction works could not commence.
Roads in the JTG district have been severely affected and the following had to be closed for through traffic as of Wednesday 03 February 2021 :
Churchill to Bendel – water overflow, possible bridge collapse. Dithakong to Glenred -bridge collapsed. Bothithong to Dithakong – bridge totally collapsed. Ditshipeng – bridge collapsed. Metsewtsaneng from N14 road – covered by water. Logobate road – covered by water. Tsineng – bridge overflowed. Stilrus – culvert collapsed. Maphiniki – bridge overflowed. Battlemount-Bendel road – covered by water. Gasehunelo ward 1,2,3 4,7,8 9 – sections of roads covered by water. Sections of the Kganung, Bojelapotsane and Drieloop roads – covered by water. The Kagung/Camdene entrance – flooded.
The department with various stakeholders have erected warning signs and closed roads to ensure the safety of road users. Furthermore, road users have been encouraged to be extra vigilant and be patient. The safety of the road users and the community is the primary concern of the provincial government, therefore the department urges members of the public to exercise caution.
Two national roads under the jurisdiction of SANRAL namely the N14 between Vryburg and Kuruman was flooded and closed.
The Northern Cape MEC of COGHSTA called on communities in the already affected areas to take extra precaution and to seek refuge in safer places. Please also report disaster incidents to your local municipalities. Disaster management teams are requested to be on standby at all times.
Provincial Disaster Management Office COGHSTA Communications
Department of Roads and Public Works
