The DA in Limpopo would like to warn motorists, residents and visitors in Phalaborwa, Maruleng and Fetakgomo Tubatse municipalities to please be careful in these areas of heavy flooding. We also call on these municipalities to ensure they restore essential infrastructure and protect residents from any harm
Following heavy rains, these areas are experiencing significant floods that have damaged infrastructure , made roads inaccessible , and have disrupted day to day activities. The severe weather has also affected schooling, most schools will only open on Monday, schools in Hoedspruit, Ohrigstad, Phalaborwa and other areas of the eastern side of Limpopo will not open today.
We have also received reports of various areas with disruption of services such as water and electricity provision. We ask residents to please be patient. Technicians are working under immense pressure and under terrible wet conditions. Call your local DA councillor so that we can coordinate assistance.
The heavy rains and flooding have caused significant damage to roads. The continuous rain causes the ground to soften and gravel roads have been especially susceptible to damage. Most tarred roads are open but gravel roads inside the villages are mostly not driveable. It is critical to realize that bridges can close and open at short notice depending on the amount of rainfall. Please treat all low lying bridges as closed and never cross a bridge if you can’t see the road.
We urge visitors to our area that plan to travel back home, to please leave as soon as possible and to make sure that the roads are safe before leaving. Please contact your local farm watch groups for updated information on road conditions. Those tourists that planned to visit these areas in the coming week, should consider changing plans as heavy rains are expected until Sunday 18 January 2025. Visitors are urged to not enter these areas before the weather clears up. It is also important to note that Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit is closed today and travellers should confirm their flights before going to the airport.
The DA in Limpopo would like to ask residents to, if possible, stay at home and be safe. If you have to travel please make sure the roads are accessible. We are thankful for the rain but it is important to take precautions to stay safe.