The OR Tambo District Municipality has assured communities across the district that disaster management teams have been deployed to assess the impact of the recent heavy rains.
Heavy rains have battered the Eastern Cape-based municipality, severely affecting several communities and disrupting access to certain areas.
“The district’s disaster management teams are on the ground assessing the extent of the damage, identifying affected households and determining the immediate needs of communities where the heavy rains have disrupted daily activities and access to essential services.
“The assessment process is ongoing and the municipality will provide a comprehensive update on the extent of the damage as well as the necessary interventions once the information has been consolidated.
“We remain committed to coordinating disaster response efforts, working with relevant stakeholders and ensuring that the needs of affected communities are identified and addressed,” the municipality said in a statement.
According to the municipality, the adverse weather has severely affected areas including Mganduli town where significant disruption led to closure of access to the town on Tuesday.
“Other affected areas include Buntingville and Nggleni. Green Farms in the Port St Johns Local Municipality, as well as several communities around Qumbu and Tolo in the Kumkani Mhiontlo Local Municipality are also affected.
“We urge all communities to remain vigilant, avoid crossing flooded rivers and low-lying bridges,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
