The death toll in the flooding that hit the Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern Cape overnight has risen to seven while four people are still missing.
Heavy rain and winds on Saturday night caused damage to property and municipal infrastructure. 226 millimeters of rain was measured in Kariega since Saturday morning.
The metro says it remains on high alert as more rain is still predicted to fall over the region overnight.
Commissioner Andrew Moses from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police has warned people to restrict their movement and avoid flooded areas.
“If there is water crossing the road, do not take a chance; rather, take a detour. If you are stuck in your home, please call 041 585 1555, which is the emergency number, so we can get help for you.”
This is the aftermath of the rains in Nelson Mandela Metro. These videos are of lower Central in Gqeberha. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/nQ9W7xzIUW
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) June 2, 2024
Some families have lost everything. Yaasen Mohamed was swept away by the powerful current when he tried to leave his house to find help for his mother who was unable to move out of the house.
“The stream took me underneath the rubble. I was stuck underneath the rubble for two minutes, only my mouth was sticking out of the water trying to scream for help, trying to get help, fortunately we got help to get my mother and my sisters out of the house.”
Sivuyise Makhasi’s house was also in the path of the flood waters. She says everything is destroyed, even her clothes as the flood waters mixed with sewerage flowed through her house.
“My daughter’s bed was floating, I was woken up by my child screaming. I decided that I must get up, jump up, and when I took my leg off the bed, I was in the water in my house. It is traumatising, I don’t know what to say, It is bad, It is just bad.”
Victims were first assisted by the group of volunteers known as the GO SQUAD. A squad member, Frans Bernard, says they were informed late yesterday of the unfolding drama and focused on getting people out and to safety. Bernard says they are now supporting the affected people with essentials.
“We heard about it yesterday and started working. We save about 14 people ourselves in the other area on the other side. We try and assist and have asked the police to open the community hall so they can have a safe place and get some dry clothes and get going again.”
Floods ravages some parts of Eastern Cape:
Flooding also caused hardships for residents of East London. 150 people were evacuated. It was also a traumatic night for people like Janet Lottering.
“My son was stuck under one of the slabs that fell down from the balcony of that stairs. If that pillar was not standing it would have crushed my son and the lady that was standing under those stairs.”
The Buffalo City Executive mayor, Princess Faku, says they are on high alert and is providing the necessary assistance.
“Those people that are affected we can assure them that by end of this week, by end of this week we will provide them temporal structures working with ward councillors and religious leaders to help us identify these families. We have engaged Minister Mamoloko and MEC Siphokazi and the Premier we are collecting the information.”
Weather alert for Amathole District
A weather alert is in place for the Amathole District, but there are no reported disasters. The spokesperson for the Amathole District municipality, Sisa Msiwa, has urged people to remain vigilant on the roads and avoid crossing flooded areas.
“In Mbhashe and Mnquma LMs, the communities are alerted to a highly likely overflowing connecting bridges, particularly in the areas of Willowvale and Elliotdale. Motorists and pedestrians are warned to not attempt crossing the bridge to avoid serious fatalities such as loss of lives. Other areas such as Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Great Kei and Ngqushwa LMs are also on alert for disruptive rains.”
The Nelson Mandela Bay metro has identified five halls as temporary shelter for victims. Commissioner Andrew Moses from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police says all the halls are based in Kariega but people needing assistance must approach their ward councilors.
