Unblock drains to avoid floods
The only reason, I believe, that there were so much flooding in the areas which resulted in a house collapse, was because our drain system has failed us.
EDITOR – Tuesday’s storm was bad and with all the flooding that happened in the usual spots such as the N2 opposite Galleria and many other residential roads in the Toti area – I feel all of it could have been avoided.
The only reason, I believe, that there were so much flooding in the areas which resulted in a house collapse, was because our drain system has failed us. I have witnessed countless times when street sweepers would clog the drains with all types of nonsense from the streets like dead leaves and plastics.
All this rubbish shoved in the mouths of the stormwater drains blocks it and stops it from doing its job. The one function we needed to stop the flooding can’t be done. So who do we blame? Do we blame the street cleaners for not thinking of the consequences or do we blame the city for not training them or even paying them enough for them to care about their job.
Every time it rains, it’s the same story. The roads have turned into rivers. Who needs a swimming pool when the city makes sure we have one after every rainstorm, how thoughtful. I know that if I don’t clean the drains on my road we would have also been flooded but why must I do the city’s job? Why must I get on my knees and pull out all the crap that is blocking the stormwater drains. So much could have been prevented.
I heard the mayor and president of South Africa came to Toti to visit the house that collapsed. I wish I was there to take the president by the hand (If I was ever allowed to touch him) and pull him down to the drains and ask him to just put his hand in there and pull out whatever he can grab. I’m sure he will be shocked, I do believe he is a smart man and will put two and two together, maybe he would have got something done.
This is not just an Amanzimtoti problem, it is a citywide problem. Just like Toti CBD, I am certain that the Durban CBD was just 100 times worse, with the flooded roads. Imagine the people who own small businesses who had to close, they lost a day’s profit, or the homeless who sleep on those streets – which were flooded where did they go? My heart bled for those who have lost their loved ones due to floods and mud slides. Again, it could have all have been prevented with one simple act of logic.
How many other countries do you know to have this problem of blocked drains? I feel like we are in a neverending cycle of bad flooding and bad planning. If only something could be done. I might be the only one who feels this way, I don’t know, but I know that I will certainly break my back cleaning out the drains to ensure my family and my neighbours can feel safe that their homes and lives will not be threatened by a blocked drain.
Maybe the house in Rockview could have been saved if the water had somewhere else to flow – hmmmm, I don’t know maybe a free-flowing stormwater drain? Imagine. Prevention is better than cure.
DISGRUNTLED RESIDENT
