Flood waters invade town
The tropical storm wreaked havoc on some parts of the province over the past weekend. Residents of Lydenburg and surrounding areas were not spared, and more than half of the residents of farms had to stay at home on Monday because of flooding.
Residents in Brug Street had to evacuate their homes on Sunday, January 24. The low-water bridge in Lydenburg Street had overflown and emergency services evacuated people to safety.
True to the caring nature of locals, everyone was concerned about the cows that were trapped on an embankment. The path they had taken to graze on the embankment was completely underwater. The owner was able to lead them to safety.
A part of Viljoen Street, in front of Coastal Hire and just below Larami Spur, was also underwater. Motorists risked it to drive through, however, as that is the only crossing between the north and east sides of town.
In previous floods, residents were cut off from their families for days when the bridges were underwater.
Older residents remembered the harrowing flood of 2000 in which five people died. The water accumulated at the same places it had then.
In 2008 and 2016 heavy rain in the catchment area resulted in floods.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster, Lulama Phembe, said on Monday the threshold for heavy rain is 50 millimetres, but that the rainfall was between 100 and 300 millimetres this past weekend.
Cornelius Pierneef emptied his rain meter on Friday and discovered on Tuesday morning it had rained 400 millimetres over the weekend at Robbers Pass, close to Pilgrim’s Rest.
SAWS indicated that Lydenburg had had a rainfall of 85 millimetres on Sunday. This contrasts what residents found; some measured between 44 and 78 millimetres on Sunday.
Lydenburg residents were thankful they did not experience severe damage as they had done during previous floods, and that there was no loss of life.
The Limpopo provincial disaster management structures were on high alert ahead Cyclone Eloise.
Flooding, winds, damage to roads and bridges, over-flooding of rivers and damage to Eskom power lines were reported over the weekend.
More heavy rains are expected later this week, according to SAWS.
“The effect of the cyclone may bring cooler conditions. The temperatures are decreasing a bit. We are looking at a 60 per cent chance of showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the week,” said Phembe.
Districts have activated joint operation centres to swiftly deal with any eventuality.
“All role players have been activated: the Office of the Premier, SAPS, SANDF, social development, health, Red Cross, public works, Eskom and Salga,” said the Limpopo provincial government.
“If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon it and climb to higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Stay indoors and off the roads and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above ankle height,” warned Basikopo Makamu, MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs.
Also read: TCLM: Provincial government requested to intervene
