Update Video
GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS & VIDEO - Following the persistent rainfall in parts of the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape since 1 June, Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management Head, Gerhard Otto this afternoon warned that the peak of the floods have not yet reached all areas in the Garden Route.
"For the southern parts of the district it is expected to only peak in the early hours of tomorrow, 6 June. SAPS Border Police is stationed in Oudtshoorn with a team on standby in Mossel Bay for any emerging rescue or recovery incidents," he said.
Emergency preparedness plans
Before the GRDM JOC was activated, representatives from the National Department of Water and Sanitation informed several stakeholders about the anticipated floods.
These stakeholders included the Water Users Associations, the National Water Resources Infrastructure Southern Operations Management, and downstream residents such as farmers and farm workers.
"There is an Emergency Preparedness Plan for each dam in South Africa, which contains contact details of stakeholders and this greatly assists us in responding to emerging risks and disasters," said Otto.
People in areas near rivers or those who are considering to cross low-water bridges or structures should avoid doing so at all costs. If a residence is prone to flooding, people should move to higher ground.
People should never attempt to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters, as these can be deeper and faster-moving than what is assumed.
Rescues, recoveries & evacuations
The SAPS Diving Unit and the Red Cross Air Mercy Service are assisting with rescue operations in the region. To date, 17 people have been rescued in Welgeluk in Oudtshoorn by Pencil Duck and from the Meiringspoort Pass by helicopter.
Calitzdorp Hot Springs has been evacuated because of the downflow of the Olifants River.
Roads reopened
Mossel Bay
- DR1532 Vleesbay Road (opened again before 15:00 on 05/06/2024)
Roads still closed
Oudtshoorn
- Meiringspoort (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
- Swartberg Pass (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
- N12 between Oudtshoorn and De Rust where the road crosses the Nel's River - use the Langkloof route as an alternative (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
- DR1713/R328 adjacent to the Raubenheimers Dam (enroute to Bergoord) (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
- Volmoed Road due to rockfalls (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
- The Cango Caves (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
- Rooiheuwel Road (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Video: Stompdrift Dam is overflowing. Source: National Dept of Water & Sanitation
Mossel Bay
- Geelbeksvlei Road (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Knysna
- Rheenendal Road off the N2 (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
George / Wilderness / Uniondale
- DR1660 Joncksrust Road (or known as Kliprivier Road) (30km from Uniondale) due to rockfalls (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
- Prince Alfred Pass between Uniondale and Knysna due to rockfalls and flooding (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
- Haarlem access on the west side is restricted, access possible from the east turn-off (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071.
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