Road in Themba collapses after heavy rain

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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The heavy rainfall from Wednesday through Thursday (18 and 19 August) caused houses in Mandela Village, Zone 8 (All Bricks), in Themablethu to flood and a section of a road nearby to collapse.

This happened after water had dammed up in a kloof that the road crosses over, causing low-lying houses along the embankment to be flooded.

According to one resident, Nosi Nkonzo, they were desperate and used pick axes and spades to dig an opening underneath the road to let the water out. The road eventually caved in completely and the water escaped. Residents on the opposite side have no option but to cross through the veld.

Photos: Road in Thembalethu collapses after heavy rain

Residents suffered water damage to houses and personal belongings. Some residents had to find overnighting elsewhere because it was impossible to sleep in their own homes. The area was like a mud bath after the water had subsided.

Watch a video below:

Nkonzo said they had alerted George Municipality early the previous week when water had already started collecting in the kloof after earlier rains. Last week's hard showers that fell in a short period pushed the water level right into the low-lying houses.

The George Fire Brigade had put up danger tape around the cave.

Comment is being awaited from the municipality.

The kloof filling up.