MALALANE – Two children were reported missing by their mother after she returned from work on Tuesday evening and found that her house had been swept away by the flood.
Nkomazi municipality spokesman Mr Cyril Ripinga informed Lowvelder on Thursday morning that attempts to get an update from the mother who reported the matter, had to date been unsuccessful.
However, Ripinga said they were being positive, and hoped the children had run out of the house before it was swept away, and that they were currently with one of the neighbours.
“We have not received any reports of fatalities.” Some employees at the Komati Mill of sugar production giant TSB and other businesses in Komatipoort, were unable to get to work on Wednesday because a bridge was underwater.
Tuesday night’s heavy rain left many people in distress, with bridges submerged and houses flooded.
The Crocodile and Komati rivers burst their banks and the Crocodile River bridge to Kruger National Park was impassable and had therefore been closed. Areas which were severely damaged by the storm included Mzinti, Schoemansdal, Tonga, Langeloop, Dludluma, Mangeni, and parts of the park.
Seven bridges were closed and two were washed away. One of them, which connected two villages – Dludluma and Ngwenyeni near Komatipoort ,was swept away, leavng residens sranded and making it difficultm forofficials toener theateastomrebder assistance.
The Crocodile and Komati rivers burst their banks and the Crocodile River bridge to Kruger National Park was impassable and had therefore been closed.
Ripinga said they were urgently attending to most of the severely affected areas and that bridges which had been closed, would remain so until the level had subsided.
“We have not received any reports of fatalities. In Orlando in Komatipoort houses were underwater,” said Ripinga.
They would evaluate the extent of the damage and decide whether to involve disaster managemeSeven bridges were closed and two were washed away. One of them, which connected two villages – Dludluma and Ngwenyeni near Komatipoort – was swept away, leaving residents stranded, and making it difficult for officials to enter the areas to assist those who might need help. Schooling was also disrupted in Driekoppies as the Mlumati Bridge had to be closed. Ripinga said they were urgently attending to most of the severely affected areas and that the bridges would reman closed until the level had subnsided. In Orlando in Komatipoort houses were underwater,” said Ripinga.
“We have not received any reports of fatalities.” They would evaluate the extent of the damage and decide whether to involve disaster mangement. He said water supply would be affected because most treatment plants had been flooded. Those of Tonga, Hectoerspruit, Sbange and Block |C had been temporarily shut down.
In Orlando in Komatipoort houses were underwater. Residents said they’d had enough of the lack of infrastructure. “This community will no longer stand for this,” said Ms Phindile Ndzangu.
According to Mr Steven Mazmbela, the community leader in the area, the people were tired of having to replace their property. “Most of the houses are underwater, which means people have lost valuable possessions like paperwork, IDs and furniture and all their clothes and bedding are wet
“None of the children will attend school, and most of the people won’t be able to go to work.
This is a huge problem, but it is one that is known to the municipality. It is aware of the struggles we face every year but it does nothing to prevent this from happening.”
Responding to questions posed by Lowvelder Ripinga said, “There is a stream as well as a farm dam above this settlement. When it rains the dam overflows into this stream and this causes problems, but we cannot control the rain. As for the budget for the area’s infrastructure, I am not aware of it.”
At the time of going to press no fatalities had been reported to the police and municipal officials.
Read a round-up of flooding in the Lowveld.
