Death toll rises as storm Dineo hits Mozambique, SA now on high alert
JUST hours after tropical cyclone Dineo made landfall in Mozambique and was expected to pummel provinces in the north of South Africa yesterday, the government activated the national disaster management and national joint operation centres.
The government said it had been appraised of the situation and the preparations for the storm.
“The cyclone will affect Mpumalanga, the extreme northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. The eastern parts of Limpopo may also experience high levels of rainfall on Friday, estimated at 200mm in a 24-hour period.
“Disaster management centres in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo have been placed on high alert. People are discouraged from crossing flooded roads, bridges and rivers,” the government warned.
In Mozambique, at least two people were killed when Dineo hit late on Wednesday.
However, by yesterday evening, the death toll had risen to at least seven, with more casualties expected, aid agency CARE said.
The storm has brought heavy rain and winds of up to 160km an hour, raising the risk of flooding and crop damage in the impoverished southern African country.
CARE said many crops had been destroyed and homes and buildings damaged. “The provincial government estimates that some 750 000 people are at risk in Inhambane province. So far two deaths have been reported and more are expected,” it said.
One of the world’s poorest countries, which is in the throes of a financial crisis, Mozambique is prone to flooding. It is especially vulnerable after a major drought last year as soils degraded or hardened by dry spells do not easily absorb water.
“The system will pose a risk for the next 36-48 hours, particularly in terms of further exceptionally heavy rainfall and resultant flooding,” said the SA Weather Service said.
As it moves over land, the system will weaken, but it can still bring heavy rainfall. Damage could be inflicted on Mozambique’s multimillion rand macadamia nut industry.
Floods in 2000 and 2001 killed hundreds of people in Mozambique, and two cyclones in January 2012 killed 26 and displaced more than 125 000, according to official data.
“We also urge parents, caregivers and guardians to ensure the safety of their children during the storms,” said the government. – ANA and Reuters
AS TROPICAL storm Dineo hit parts of the country yesterday, residents of Hazyview in Mpumalanga expressed their concern about the damage it could inflict.
Yesterday, The Star team travelled from Tzaneen in Limpopo to Hazyview in Mpumalanga, weathering the heavy rain and wind as the greatly anticipated storm made its way through the north-eastern part of the country.
As evening began to fall and downpours increased, Lisson Komane from Tshabalala, an informal settlement 10km from Hazyview, took his spade and dug a trench around one side of the entrance of his house, while on the other side he piled up tree branches, leaves and sand in a bid to block the water that ran down the dirt road.
“I was flooded last year and everything got destroyed. I can’t let this happen again.
“I’m worried about flooding and what these winds will do to my house and to my family,” he said.
Komane said he has a wife and four children who he needs to protect. “I don’t know if this will help, but I have no choice. My biggest concern is their safety,” he said.
Another resident, Olivia Leyane, said the community were “freaking out” and “going crazy with worry”.
“They’re saying it could get worse tonight and I’m really scared, especially for my twin sister and my parents,” the youngster said.
Leyane said they were building a house and were concerned that Dineo could destroy it.
Spokesperson for the Hazyview police station Constable Duduzile Malibe advised residents to be vigilant and remain in doors during the storm.
“If you have to leave your home, we urge you to please be extra careful,” she said.
Spokesperson for the Kruger National Park William Mabasa said the park had temporarily closed gravel roads as a precaution.
“Remote camps mostly in the north of the park will be temporarily closed, and guests booked in the flagged camps will be moved to safer camps.
“These closures are necessary to ensure visitors’ safety, and we would like to advise guests to stick to the tar roads while driving inside the park,” he said, adding that guests should remain close to their camps in case the weather worsened.
Mabasa said a decision had been taken close all gravel roads in the park for safety reasons.
“A disaster management team has been set up and periodical updates will be released until the situation improves,” he added.
Bushbuckridge municipality spokesperson Aubrey Mnisi said they were working together with several other municipalities and stakeholders in the area to keep residents safe.
“There are temporary shelters that have been set up in case of flooding as well as food and blankets that have been put away to help anyone affected,” he said.
“We have plans in place and we are ready for Dineo,” Mnisi added.