Nelson Mandela Bay — Devastating floods hit parts of the Eastern Cape this weekend, which resulted in the death of seven people and a further 1 000 people were left displaced.
The cities of Kariega, Gqeberha and East London were hit by floods that ripped through the province, and many emergency services and NGOs are on hand to help assist with humanitarian aid. Nelson Mandela Bay emergency services acting spokesperson, Henry Landsdown, said shelters have been provided for those affected, EWN reported.
“At this stage, we’ve got approximately 1,300 people displaced and obviously those people are being taken care of in various shelter facilities, church halls, community halls and so forth. So, we’ve got about 12 shelter facilities at this stage that we’re trying to assist those people as much as we can.” he said.
The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality said all emergency services, such as Gift of the Givers (GoTG), Rescue South Africa, the SANDF have been on hand to provide assistance, The Citizen reported.
Severe flooding has struck parts of the Eastern Cape. Hundreds of families have been left destitute in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Newzroom Afrika’s Sipha Kema has the latest.
Watch: https://t.co/sA2Yu93n9d#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/IbFz0SmojS
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 3, 2024
The SANDF has deployed helicopters to assist with access to inaccessible areas, while GoTG said some residents were unable to leave their houses due to high water levels and furniture blocking entryways. It has already donated blankets, warm clothing, and personal hygiene items to those affected.
“We appeal for all residents to remain vigilant, listen for regular weather updates, and postpone travel arrangements. Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams,” said the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
The South African weather Services (SAWS) said heavy rains are expected to continue across the country, and it has issued a an orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain resulting in floods over the coast of the Eastern Cape.
It said severe thunderstorms are expected over eastern parts of the Free State, Gauteng, northwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Mpumalanga Highveld.
“Very cold, wet, and windy conditions with snowfalls are expected over the southern high-lying areas of the Namakwa District and southern high ground of the Northern Cape, the central and eastern interior of the Western Cape, the northern high ground of the Eastern Cape, and the central and southern parts of the Free State until Tuesday,” said the weather service.
It is saddening to read about the devastating floods overnight in the Eastern Cape. The weather forecasts for the rest of the week show prospects of continuous rains in some regions of the province — see coloured parts of the SA map. Hopefully, this will not be intense. pic.twitter.com/akJ2T5fvez
— Wandile Sihlobo (@WandileSihlobo) June 3, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
