Lydenburg’s rising water levels not to be dismissed
Although rivers are holding strong, residents are urged to still be vigilant and prepared.
With heavy downpours still expected for the rest of this week, residents are warned not to underestimate the rising river levels around Lydenburg.
On January 1, the Thaba Chweu DA issued a notice to residents warning them that the wall of the Lydenburg Dam, which supplies household water to the town and surrounding areas, is overflowing and that a rise in river levels is causing concerns about possible flash floods.
On Monday, January 6, the SAWS issued an orange level 8 warning for the coming week. This warning indicates that disruptive rainfall could lead to widespread flooding of roads and settlements, a danger to life due to fast-flowing streams and deep water, widespread damage to property and buildings, and the loss of livelihoods and livestock.
The notice also states that major roads and bridges could be damaged or washed away and disruption to municipal services, such as water and electricity, could occur.
The SAWS had issued a press release on Saturday stating that scattered (60%) and widespread (80%) showers and thundershowers are expected to start on Sunday, across the central and eastern regions of South Africa.
Also read: Lydenburgers question lack of disaster management
“These regions include the North West, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the southern parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Usually, summer thundershowers are confined to the afternoon and early evening hours. However, the continuous flow of warm moist air (tropical moisture) to South Africa from countries to the north is expected to cause showers at any time of the day.” This means that ordinary or even heavy showers could be expected between 18:00 and 01:00 in the early morning.
Cllr Spiros Couvaras of the DA urged residents to be prepared should an evacuation notice for the area be issued. “We are not there yet, but given the concerns already raised on January 1 about an increase in river levels, and considering the latest orange level 8 warning, residents should be vigilant and prepared in case of localised flooding.”
Couvaras said households and businesses in lower-lying areas are urged to keep personal belongings close in case of any unforeseen event on account of the heavy rainfall predicted to last until Thursday, January 9. “The Dorps River is currently holding strong, but as rainfall accumulates, we should nonetheless be prepared for anything,” he said. The bridge on the Sekhukhune road connecting Lydenburg to various mines outside town is currently underwater and only accessible by bakkies and high suspension vehicles.
In 2008, 2016 and 2021, heavy rains in the catchment area resulted in localised floods, and residents had to be evacuated from their homes in Lydenburg and Viljoen streets.
