The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the North West said municipalities across the province are conducting impact assessments to determine the extent of damages caused by torrential rains across the province.
This as the South African Weather Service predicted the above-normal rainfall earlier this week. The department spokesperson, Thebeitsile Keameditse, said all affected families would receive social relief packages.
“The assessment would establish the kind of assistance needed for areas affected by flooding due to heavy rains across the province. Where there is a need, temporary structures will be provided, and affected families will be given social relief packages such as food parcels, blankets, and mattresses,” said Keameditse.
In addition, Keameditse said some of the roads in Mahikeng are flooded mainly due to poor water drainage systems and houses damaged too in other areas.
“Some flooded roads in Mahikeng town have been closed and traffic redirected to other routes. In Bodibe village in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, some mud houses are partially damaged, while others are still waterlogged as torrential rain continues.
“The National Department of Human Settlements has approved 20 temporary residential units for Bodibe, and other units are being processed to assist affected residents in other areas of the province. Once more we urge pedestrians and motorists to be extra cautious as they travel on flooded roads. Disaster management teams across the province remain on high alert and continue to monitor the situation,” explained Keameditse.
According to the department, Mahikeng, Ramotshere Moiloa, Ditsobotla, and Ratlou are the most affected areas in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District while most flooded roads were reported in Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the Bojanala District.
Keameditse indicated that other roads were reported to have flooded in the province including N18 outside Mahikeng, N12 Stilfontein, and the N4 near Dinokana among others, and that motorists have been urged to exercise caution.
“We appeal to motorists to exercise caution when traveling on these and other roads as flooding may continue. Our disaster management teams remain on high alert as heavy rains persist,” remarked Keameditse.
No casualties have been reported.