Cape Town – Heavy floods in Citrusdal, South Africa, have left dozens of residents displaced and cut off from the rest of the world as part of the R303 was washed away.
Displaced residents have found temporary shelter at the Oranjeville Community Centre, IOL reported.
Sydney Noqhekwa, 51, one of the affected residents, described how their homes were flooded and they had to evacuate as the water kept rising.
“The rain started on Thursday afternoon and then our homes were flooded and we had no choice but to run away,” the report quoted Noqhekwa as saying.
A joint operation involving the Cederberg Municipality, Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management, SANDF, and other groups is underway to address the extensive damage caused by the floods, the report said.
? Read: Citrusdal and Vredendal cut off by Western Cape Floods. Helicopters called in. https://t.co/bbhF9T9k2i
Contributions can be made to Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref SA disaster. pic.twitter.com/IVukO7bf8A
— Gift of the Givers (@GiftoftheGivers) June 17, 2023
The Gift of the Givers organisation is also providing essential supplies, including blankets, water, food, and hygiene packs, to the affected areas in Citrusdal and other parts of the Western Cape.
Times Live reported on Saturday that the Western Cape’s disaster management team is conducting rescue operations in the affected areas, as stormy weather conditions continue to rock the province.
Evacuations are ongoing in problem areas like Klawer and the Matzikama local municipality.
The region’s weather problems are expected to continue, with another cold front predicted to hit the province.
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Picture: Twitter/@GiftoftheGivers
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
