Residents of Dassenberg and Riverlands in the Swartberg, Western Cape, woke up to a flood this morning.
The Western Cape Live Traffic and Safety Report shared a video of water coming from the Dassenberg property.
Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, said the West Coast Disaster Management Centre and Swartland Municipality, responded promptly and effectively to the flooding incident, near Malmesbury.
Engineers are on-site to assess the damage to infrastructure and coordinate humanitarian aid efforts.
In a statement, he said “the flooding was caused by a breach in a dam. Initial reports indicate extensive damage to property and infrastructure. While the Swartland Municipality has reported no injuries or missing persons at this time, efforts are ongoing to reach areas that were initially inaccessible due to flooding. Rescue and mop-up operations were delayed until sunrise.”
He also said an Incident Command Post was established at Riverland Primary School, where multiple rescues have been carried out.
Victims have been treated for near-drowning and transported to nearby hospitals for observation and further treatment. At this moment, no fatalities or missing persons have been reported.
Gift of the Givers said thousands were displaced by the floods this morning.
Picture: WC Live Traffic and Safety Report