Limpopo on high alert as cyclone Dineo bears down
ARMY, POLICE ON STANDBY
A CHOPPER and special 4x4 ambulances were on standby as Limpopo awaited the tropical cyclone “Dineo” to hit parts of the province yesterday.
The storm has been making its way to South Africa after hitting Mozambique earlier this week.
On Tuesday the SA Weather Service said in a statement that Dineo was dominating the Mozambique Channel and was projected to intensify bringing heavy rainfall and winds to SA.
However the storm had been downgraded from a severe tropical storm to an ex tropical cyclone by yesterday morning.
The SA Weather Service released another statement yesterday saying Dineo made landfall near Inhambane, southern Mozambique on Wednesday night with strong winds, rainfall and rough seas.
Spokesman for the provincial department of health Derrick Kganyago said they were happy Dineo’s intensity had declined.
However, Kganyago said emergency services in areas projected to be affected by the storm, which includes Mopani and Vhembe, remained on high alert.
Kganyago said choppers and special 4x4 ambulances were also ready to respond if extreme flooding occurs.
“We are ready for anything,” said Kganyago. He said people should exercise caution and avoid crossing flooded rivers and bridges.
The provincial department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, which is in charge of disaster management, also released a statement ahead of the storm’s touch down.
The department said it had developed a contingency plan in response to alerts from the SA Weather Service, saying all districts had been informed. “A national disaster management centre will activate a helicopter in case of need,” it stated.
The department also has a task team comprising police, the SA National Defence Force and traffic officials on high alert.
“We are emphasising the call we made during the festive season for community members in affected areas to remain indoors if possible. We further reiterate the need for pedestrians and motorists to stay off the roads and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above normal ground,” it said.
People were also advised to do the following if stranded:
If trapped by a flood in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground.
In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level.
Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building.
In rural areas protect or relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground. Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water.