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2 months ago
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There is widespread flooding in the Eastern Cape following heavy rain. (Screengrab/@TrafficSA/X)
Parts of Gqeberha and Kariega have experienced severe flooding following heavy rain in the Eastern Cape.
Gift of the Givers Foundation operations manager Ali Sablay said calls were pouring in for humanitarian assistance.
"Community members are being transported to school halls and churches. KwaNobuhle is without drinking water as the water plant is flooded," he said.
"We are currently in contact with the local disaster management teams who are identifying and trying to evacuate residents. Our teams will be assisting, and an urgent list has been sent to us for blankets, mattresses, personal hygiene items, and hot meals to assist flood victims, who will be accommodated in school halls and churches."
Sablay added that the organisation would send water tankers from Adelaide to areas where there is no drinking water.
"We will also be monitoring the situations at clinics and schools to see if they require water as well. Our teams will be on the ground from early this morning to assist the local disaster management team and to ensure that all the flood victims' humanitarian needs are taken care of," he said.
READ | Flooded roads and fallen trees: Disruptive rain lashes eThekwini
Nelson Mandela Bay municipality spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said Dr Braun residents were being evacuated to De Mist NG Church, while Lapland residents would be evacuated to the Rosedale Indoor Sport Centre. Evacuations are also in under way in Missionvale and Uitenhage.
Soyaya said the Kruisrivier bridge was collapsing and multiple roads in Gqeberha were closed due to flooding.
These include Perseverance Crossing, Bethelsdorp Road, Bertram Road, Willow Dam, Rensburg Street, Kleinskool Crossing, Standford Road, Kariega Durban Road, and Madina Street. Sections of the N2 and M4 have also been affected.
There are multiple power outages.
According to the municipality, a circuit breaker tripped, affecting Motherwell NU 1, NU 2 and surrounding areas.
A circuit breaker at Swartkops/Kwaford substation also tripped, which caused a loss of power supply at General Tire, Ford 1 and 2, Struandale, Struanway and Trident Steel. New Brighton, Seysi and surrounding areas are also affected by power outages.
In Kariega, multiple circuit breakers have tripped, causing a loss of power at Tollgate, Cuyler, Van Riebeeck, Protea, Market Square, Kamesh, Mosel, Lower Cannon, Algoa Road and surrounding areas.
The municipality said the severe weather may hamper efforts to reconnect the power supply.
On Monday, the province received warnings from the South African Weather Service (SAWS), which ranged between levels 2 and 6, for disruptive rainfall.
In response, Cogta MEC Zolile Williams said the provincial disaster management centre would be on high alert and that all municipalities had activated their disaster readiness plans.
