Government declares floods a national state of disaster
13 February 2023 - 21:09
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Heavy rains flooded the town of Jozini in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. Picture: SUPPLIED
Government has declared a national state of disaster after floods that affected large parts of the country.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the announcement is to enable an intensive, co-ordinated response to the affected provinces.
It means the South African Police Services and defence force may be required to play a role in response to the floods, Magwenya said.
“The national disaster management centre has received reports ranging from flooded homes, vehicles swept away by floodwaters and overflowing dams and sewerage facilities, to the loss of basic infrastructure and damage to roads, bridges and a Limpopo hospital,” Magwenya said.
The minister of co-operative governance & traditional affairs may declare a national disaster should a disastrous event happen or threaten to happen in more than one province.
This is in terms of the Disaster Management Act as Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape and the North West suffered floods and heavy rainfall in the past week.
Section 23 of the act classified the impact of current and above-normal rainfall in various parts of the country as a national disaster.
“In agriculture, farmers have suffered crop and livestock losses, and anticipate further losses as the South African Weather Service predicts heavy rain will persist,” he said.
Media release: Heavy rain and flooding observed across eastern South Africa, with further rainfall anticipated for the northern and north-eastern provinces. pic.twitter.com/EsT1nUMF5v
The service announced on Monday that heavy rainfall and flooding is expected to continue this week. Gauteng and parts of the North West are predicted to be hit hard by the wet weather on Thursday.
An accumulated 100mm to 200mm of rainfall is predicted for Mpumalanga and Limpopo on Monday and Tuesday.
“These conditions have been brought on by the La Niña global weather phenomenon which occurs in the Pacific Ocean but impacts on a country such as South Africa with above-normal rainfall. The presence of à La Niña event usually has its strongest impact on rainfall during the midsummer months.
Mapaseka Thabeng and most residents of Carousel View and surrounding areas are sleeping inside water-damaged houses due to the Wednesday floods. Image: Shonisani Tshikalange
“With the continued strengthening of the La Niña event, the country can expect above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures over the summer rainfall areas,” Magwenya said.
This means temporary shelters, food and blankets will be in demand by families, individuals and the large-scale and costly rehabilitation of infrastructure, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) will continue to monitor and co-ordinate response and recovery measures. This includes the release of early warnings on the weather forecast, Magwenya said.
“President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with the affected communities across the country and the president appreciates the way in which entities of government, NGOs and community-based structures have responded to date,” he said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Government declares floods a national state of disaster
Government has declared a national state of disaster after floods that affected large parts of the country.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the announcement is to enable an intensive, co-ordinated response to the affected provinces.
It means the South African Police Services and defence force may be required to play a role in response to the floods, Magwenya said.
“The national disaster management centre has received reports ranging from flooded homes, vehicles swept away by floodwaters and overflowing dams and sewerage facilities, to the loss of basic infrastructure and damage to roads, bridges and a Limpopo hospital,” Magwenya said.
The minister of co-operative governance & traditional affairs may declare a national disaster should a disastrous event happen or threaten to happen in more than one province.
This is in terms of the Disaster Management Act as Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape and the North West suffered floods and heavy rainfall in the past week.
Section 23 of the act classified the impact of current and above-normal rainfall in various parts of the country as a national disaster.
“In agriculture, farmers have suffered crop and livestock losses, and anticipate further losses as the South African Weather Service predicts heavy rain will persist,” he said.
The service announced on Monday that heavy rainfall and flooding is expected to continue this week. Gauteng and parts of the North West are predicted to be hit hard by the wet weather on Thursday.
An accumulated 100mm to 200mm of rainfall is predicted for Mpumalanga and Limpopo on Monday and Tuesday.
“These conditions have been brought on by the La Niña global weather phenomenon which occurs in the Pacific Ocean but impacts on a country such as South Africa with above-normal rainfall. The presence of à La Niña event usually has its strongest impact on rainfall during the midsummer months.
Image: Shonisani Tshikalange
“With the continued strengthening of the La Niña event, the country can expect above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures over the summer rainfall areas,” Magwenya said.
This means temporary shelters, food and blankets will be in demand by families, individuals and the large-scale and costly rehabilitation of infrastructure, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) will continue to monitor and co-ordinate response and recovery measures. This includes the release of early warnings on the weather forecast, Magwenya said.
“President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with the affected communities across the country and the president appreciates the way in which entities of government, NGOs and community-based structures have responded to date,” he said.
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