Simelane commends local and national govt response to Limpopo, Mpumalanga floods

Flooded area in Limpopo

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has commended national and provincial governments for their co-ordination in responding to severe floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Heavy rains, which started last week, have caused severe floods in many areas of the two provinces.

They have left a trail of destruction to key infrastructure such as roads.

The death toll from the floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga now stands at 30.

Simelane has also credited the South African Weather Service for helping her department to plan for disasters.

“Government response has been very prompt, from evacuation in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga, because our South African Weather Service early warning systems are very sharp and we are appreciative to the communities that were able to respond positively. We had not anticipated the first levels at the amount of the rain that poured. All eight districts, three in Mpumalanga, five in Limpopo, their joint operation teams were up and running prior the pouring of the rain. Our human settlements team are on the ground.

Meanwhile, some roads remain in some parts of Limpopo. The most affected are in the Phalaborwa and Giyani areas. Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba adds that the damage to road infrastructure has made it difficult for emergency services to respond to emergency situations.

“The following national roads have been badly damaged, you know the R527 around the Hoedspruit area R40 next to the Maseke Game Reserve, between Gravelotte and Phalaborwa, the R36 between the Oaks and Ofcolaco, the R71 towards Phalaborwa, we have also closed it due to rain”.