Torrential rain in the Eastern Cape has damaged provincial roads and claimed seven lives in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro over the weekend.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) reported mudslides on the N2 at the Beacon Bay on-ramp in the Buffalo City metro and a slip failure on the N2 section near the Brakfontein interchange outside East London towards Mthatha.
SANRAL’s Regional Manager, Mbulelo Peterson, urged caution. “We urge motorists to take the necessary precautions when on the road as the conditions are not conducive. SANRAL will continue to monitor the situation on our network, and our road maintenance teams are on standby for any incidents that might arise.”
In the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, residents of Kariega are assessing the damage after the heavy rain.
A resident, Enrico Johannes, shared his experience during the floods. “The first thing that came to my mind was the lady living next to me with her son. She was yelling and trapped inside. I went in there as the water was chest high, I swam in after I broke the window. The first thing was to take her child out and then swim back and take her out. I lost everything last night. Humanity needs to come together in disasters like this.”
Floods ravages some parts of Eastern Cape
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
Many residents in Kariega are struggling to come to terms with the horrific effects of last night’s heavy rains. This is the aftermath. #sabcnews
📸🎥Sine Witi pic.twitter.com/H2MMgNleNY
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) June 2, 2024
This resident in Kariega says his home was destroyed by the heavy rains last night. #sabcnews
🎥📸Sine Witi pic.twitter.com/SQphnj0VGk
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) June 2, 2024
