Govt counts flood devastation

2011-02-25 17:39

Johannesburg - Floods affected eight provinces across the country, washed away 20 houses and damaged schools, roads, bridges, The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs said on Friday.

Preliminary assessments indicated that 20 houses were washed away in Northern Cape by floods between December and early February, said spokesperson Vuyelwa Qhinga.

A total of 923 cotton, vineyard, lucerne and maize farms were also affected in the same area.

Vegetables and field crops, fruit and vines in 325 farms were affected in Fezile Dabi, Thaba Mofutsanyana, Xhariep and Lejweputswa in the Free State.

Qhinga said 12 farms and 162 farmers were affected when maize, soybean and vegetables were damaged, and 12 cattle were lost in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.

Storms and floods

In the Eastern Cape, hail and floods resulted in damaged maize, beans, vegetables fields and a loss of 839 chickens, 415 sheep and 20 goats.

A total of 272 farmers, 187 farm workers were affected in Limpopo when potatoes, maize, sweet potato, groundnuts, cotton, citrus and cabbages were damage in 84 farms in Limpopo.

"A total of 104 schools are estimated to have been damaged," Qhinga said.

The assessment indicated that 13 schools, 1 560 houses, 11 roads, 21 bridges were partially damaged in North West.

"A total of 74 sunflowers, orchards and maize farms were damaged."

In Mpumalanga, crops and livestock were affected.

"Twenty-eight farms recorded damage to soya beans, sunflower, maize and loss of cattle, sheep and goats. A total of 42 schools are estimated to be affected."

Gauteng had 1 847 houses being damaged and 33 farms had damages on agricultural infrastructure relating to irrigation systems, fences and poultry structures.

"Most of this infrastructure was either blown away by strong winds or washed away by water during the flooding period," Qhinga said.

- SAPA