The Nekkies River reached its full capacity, causing March Crescent in Zwelethemba to flood due to the heavy rainfall last week.ekkies river reached its full capacity March cresent in Zwelethemba flooded because of the heavy rainfalls last weekFoto: Lisolethu Leteba
The informal settlement of Emagwaleni in Zwelethemba, along with other areas of the Boland, experienced significant flooding last week. Around 185 residents were evacuated and took temporary refuge at the Unobuntu Thusong Service Centre on 11 July, the Breede Valley Municipality (BVM) said.
In a statement, the BVM said: “Housing and Human Settlement, along with Disaster Management teams, are providing humanitarian support to the affected residents. We are working closely with commercial farmers, who have generously donated blankets to aid those in need.”
Palesa Bulane, a resident of Emagwaleni, shared her experience with Standard & Gazette. “The flooding has been devastating,” she said. “Our homes were submerged, and we had to leave everything behind. The support from the community and BVM has been a great help during this difficult time.”
An elderly man, severely affected, recounted his experience: “I was sleeping and I just saw water gushing inside the house. When I opened the door the water swept me off my feet. All I could grab was my ID.”
Lizo Paul, centre manager at Unobuntu Thusong Service Centre, described the dire situation: “It’s very bad. People didn’t have any clothes or toiletries. “We opened the centre up to accommodate them. We ask the community and those who can assist to help in donating whatever they can to our people.”
The recent flooding has significantly impacted several regions. The most affected areas include McGregor and all farms and houses on both sides of the Breede River. These areas have experienced extensive flooding and damage to infrastructure, according to municipal spokesperson Whilly-John Gordon.
“The raw water-pump station at Viljoensdrift, which supplies raw water to the Ashton Water Treatment Plant and Montagu, has sustained extensive damage,” Gordon said.
“Major work is required to reinstate this pump station, which is estimated to take at least three weeks. There was also damage to the Bonnievale raw water-pump station at Breede River, which got flooded as well as sewer pump Station 7. Both pump stations are in operation, but some detailed repairs still need to be done.”
Three people were safely evacuated from the low-lying areas at the McGregor Bridge.
“There was no need for temporary shelters, as the evacuated residents were taken to family,” Gordon added. “Disaster-management teams provided food parcels and blankets before moving the residents to their families.”
Community education and preparedness programmes were being introduced to ensure residents are better equipped to respond to potential flooding events in future.
Namhla Monakali
www.news24.com
