Limpopo
Eskom said technical teams are on the ground, following widespread power outages at Church View Village, Giyani and the New Bendstore Substation, due to ongoing floods.
The Greater Giyani Municipality urged road users to avoid using the Parliament road via Maeteko to Giyani Police station due to flooding.
An alternative route is available via the old parliament road.
Municipal offices will also remain closed until after the rain, fearing for the safety of officials.
Most service areas in Giyani are temporarily closed after a large tree fell on top of several cars belonging to municipality employees, causing significant damage to the municipality’s security wall.
Pule Shayi, the Mayor of Mopani urged communities to remain extra vigilant as disruptive rains have already caused extensive damage to road infrastructure in most parts of the district.
Most rivers are overflowing, and some houses are reportedly waterlogged around Giyani.
Shayi also said the District Municipality has activated a Joint Operations Committee (JOC), so multiple stakeholders can respond to incidents.
“The team is on high alert to provide rescue operations and to coordinate support to the affected communities. However, we want to urge our people to remain extra vigilant, avoid crossing rivers and streams, parking under trees and to stay away from powerlines. We urge our people to only travel when is absolutely necessary” said Shayi.
Yesterday, the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), warned motorists against an erosion of a road’s side wall, on the D3179 at Mendigeng, within the Greater Letaba Municipality.
He also advised motorists to reduce speed, remain vigilant, and, where possible, use alternative routes until the situation is fully addressed.
Mpumalanga
A toddler was swept away by floodwaters in a stream near the community, earlier on Tuesday morning.
Communities stood in shock watching the lifeless body of the little one.
Roads temporarily closed are between Karino Estate and Nomzamo, with motorists urged to rather use the N4 via the Mngwenya Road to enter and exit Kanyamazane safely.
Thulasizwe Thomo, MEC of the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and is expected to visit the site on Wednesday.
He is also expected to make his way to two additional damaged roads -the D2296 Road between Karino and Tekwane South, as well the D2692 and D9263 in the Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, dams in Mpumalanga are at a combined 100,09% full.
Dams levels over 100% are Loskop Dam (101,6%), Rhenosterkop Dam (102,7%), Blyderivierpoort dam (106,1%), Buffelskloof (100,6%), Driekoppies (104%), Grootdraai (101,9%), Vygeboom (100,4%), Witbank dam (104,1%), Primkop (105%).
Pictures: Supplied