More rain for sodden West Cape

2003-03-25 12:11

Mahap Msiza

Cape Town - Mop-up and relief operations are in full steam after storms and floods ravaged small towns in the Western Cape - but, more rain is expected on Tuesday night, warn the weather experts.

The South African Weather Service has forecast between 60% and 70% rainfall for the Western Cape.

It didn't rain, but poured for hundreds of families in towns like Montagu, Barrydale, Riversdale, Roberstson, Swellendam and Knysna.

Roads were cut, roofs blown off and homes flooded after the storms hit the area on Sunday night and in the early hours of Monday morning.

In Knysna, Mxolisi Njokeni, 34, was killed when a tree fell on his shack on Monday.

The weather service's Milton Mugeri told News24 that, while the weather would go back to normal on Wednesday, both the little Karoo and the Southern Cape would have rain on Tuesday evening.

Mugeri also confirmed there wouldn't be any heavy rain in other parts of the country, at least until the weekend.

Rescue operations on Monday were shared by the air force, the Cape metro's emergency medical unit, and the police.

Air force helicopters were also called in for rescue missions and 30 people had to be airlifted to higher ground on Monday.

Those displaced from their homes are now staying in four communicy centres, and it is expected the local government authorities will provide them with food and blankets.

Helicopters doing sterling work

Roy Veldman of Boland disaster management said on Tuesday air force helicopters were conducting aerial surveys over Montagu.

"We have four Oryx helicopters and one helicopter from metro emergency services doing assessments," he said.

"The helicopters also will transport people between Montagu and Ashton and carry out rescue missions where necessary."

Veldman said blankets and food had been given to people whose homes had been flooded.

Correctional services had also provided aid to flood victims.

An official at Robertson's joint operation centre told News24 on Tuesday that all was under control, and the floods had abated.

He said that all those who were missing had been found. Several roads had been closed.

They included the road between Suurbraak and Barrydale, the road between Montagu and Ashton, the one between Ashton and Robertson, Robertson and Bonnievale, Cogmanskloof bridge, and the road between Robertson and Worcester.

It is not yet clear when some of these roads will be opened.

Water and electricity supplies were disturbed, but restored in some towns by Monday evening.

Western Cape's MEC for community safety Leonard Ramatlakane and the social services were liaising on Tuesday with relief personnel to assess the damage caused by the storms.

MEC for social services Marius Fransman told News24 his department was pleading with businesses in and around the province to help with food, blankets and other emergency necessities.

Fransman and Ramatlakane are expected to visit the affected families.

Fransman said there were about 54 affected families in Riversdale, 17 in knysna, 40 to 50 in Swellendam and 200 households in Montagu. He could not give a figure for Barrydale.

- News24