The floods that hit the Overberg and sections of the Breede River Valley last week are reportedly the worst in living memory in the areas affected.
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We’ve all heard of the tragic death of the scholar on her way to write a Matric final exam who was swept away by the torrents in the De Doorns area. A woman from the Montagu region call in to local talk radio station Cape Talk on Thursday, saying that over 300 houses nearby were entirely UNDER water.
I placed a call this morning to the Overberg District Municipality who were running online updates on the situation in that area last week and spoke to a gentleman at the Disaster Management desk. He informed me that there is nothing ‘new’ to report since the rains stopped late Thursday.
He confirmed that electricity and water have been restored to most areas although they were waiting for confirmation that Infanta was accessing water.
He also informed me that while all main roads in the region are now open, drivers can expect detours in instances where bridges have been washed away.
Most people who had been evacuated are returning to their homes to start assessing the personal damage to property.
He ended the conversation with a tired sigh, stating:
“Now we get on with the massive mopping up operations.”
Damage is expected to be in the vicinity of R1 billion.
However there is a silver lining to almost every situation.
Another caller to Cape Talk, an organic farmer from the Klein Karoo, said they had been talking of having to sell their farm as they had only 4 more weeks’ worth of water left in the reservoirs. When the rains came down last week this farmer and all her workers were literally dancing in the rain, knowing that, for now, their farm is safe again.
For further information see the Overberg District Municipality website or call the Overberg Control Centre at 10177 or 028-4251690 and ask for Disaster Management.
(Images: Justin Park. All rights reserved)
