A natural d isaster – mayor
HEAVY downpours in Ladysmith have left many questioning the town’s capacity to handle inclement weather conditions.
Of late, heavy rainfalls flooded the town’s low-lying areas which affected some businesses and town occupants. Reports circulated alleging that water banks burst, which led to the recent flooding.
“It is evident that there was a great influx of water coming into the Klip River, thereby causing it to flow at extremely high levels,” said Ladysmith mayor Zama Sibisi.
“The Qedusizi Flood Attenuation Dam, 32m high, constructed in October 1998, was purposely constructed to reduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areas in Ladysmith. However, the dam has attenuation capabilities only. It was designed in such a way that flood water from the Klip River and Sand Spruit would be stored temporarily.”
According to Sibisi, the impounded water was released at a controlled rate into the safe carrying capacity of the Klip River through Ladysmith, while also taking cognisance of the effects of flooding from the intermediate catchment, mainly the Flagstone Spruit.
Flooding of the town occurred because the stormwater outlets were not able to discharge into the Klip River due to the extremely high river levels, he said.
“I can confirm and would want to reassure the public and business associates that the Qedusizi Dam has not burst nor collapsed. A detailed report is to be compiled once the river has subsided and the damage of the infrastructure can be ascertained.”
Sibisi assured residents that the current infrastructure was fully functional and maintained. He said the recent floods were a natural disaster and once the river level dropped, the stormwater would drain into the Klip River.
However, flood victims were not impressed with the municipality’s response.
Residents who were left stranded were unhappy with the disaster management teams’ effort to aid those in need.
Many of those affected were tenants of flats and businesses situated in the central business district’s King, Queen and Forbes streets, among others. Maria Duma, 54, said she had been affected by the floods four times in the past 35 years that she has been renting a flat in King Street.
Seated at an indoor sports centre, a visibly distressed Duma struggled to breathe, often taking deep breaths while talking to the reporter.
“All my furniture is now in a terrible state.
“I could not carry anything with me.
“I doubt my DVD player, speakers and television still work.”
Duma said she lived alone and was originally from Vaaihoek, a rural area nearby. She said she moved to town for work, and felt that the progress she had made had come to nothing.
“This (flooding) happens too often. I would be happy if the municipality relocates us to a different upper-lying area and accelerates the process of us getting RDP houses, otherwise we have to face the same fate in the future.”
Another affected tenant, Ntombikhona Hadebe, 35, said she was stressed as her home had been damaged.
“I am a mother of three and I live with my partner as well. We would like to be moved to a different area where floods will not be an issue,” said Hadebe.
As of Tuesday, uthukela’s District
Municipality’s disaster management team confirmed that they had evacuated about 130 residents to the Indoor Sports Centre, and they had been working with various organisations to bring relief, such as food and other items, to affected individuals.
“The indoor sports centre has housed 136 residents.
“Others though may have gone off to stay with their relatives in neighbouring areas for the time being,” said Themba Ndumo, a uthukela District Municipality’s disaster management team operations member.
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka urged communities to not build their houses near riverbanks.
“We recently had inclement weather conditions which left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. So far 25 people have died, with one person missing.
“R3.3 billion in damages has been incurred during this summer season. We appeal to residents to be cautious,” said Hlomuka.