3 people lost their lives in flooded parts of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), since Monday this week.
About 3,000 people were displaced as a result of the floods.
Gary Van Niekerk, Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, said investigations are still ongoing by relevant state entities on the exact causes of death.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.”
On Wednesday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) notified residents that the system responsible for rainfall this week, is exiting the country.
This has brought some relief to displaced residents who are accommodated in 19
shelters across the Metro.
Van Niekerk said as a short-term measure, the City will try and organize a budget to assist displaced residents, restore electricity and mop up.
“The National Department of Human Settlements is expected to deploy three officials today to conduct the necessary assessments before exploring options to relocate the affected people to more decent and humane temporary emergency areas.
Funds are being sourced to provide temporary structures until the residents are permanently moved, with timeframes subject to budget availability.”
He also said the Municipality is working to restore electricity in parts of the Metro affected by the heavy rains.
Ongoing assessments of damage to infrastructure continue, with the Greenbushes substation almost submerged.
The Kelvin Jones wastewater treatment works was affected by the rains, leading to a power outage.
The Municipality is working on securing a backup generator as an emergency solution.
“Each of the five depots has appointed two contractors to assist with jetting the
stormwater network and vacuuming flooded streets across the Metro. Additional assistance from contractors with minor road repairs and clearing of debris is being sourced for mop-up operations, weather permitting” said the Municipality.
Picture of tombstones under water: Supplied