All hands are on deck as extensive disaster management operations are underway in Paarl and Wellington in the aftermath of last weeks devastating floods which hit the Drakenstein Valley.
“The Municipality immediately identified high-risk areas and activated our emergency response teams, who comprise trained personnel from various departments, to address urgent concerns and help affected individuals and communities,” said Conrad Poole, Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality. “We are intensely aware of the extremely difficult situations many of our residents have been finding themselves in. Our hearts go out to those in need.”
The municipal response teams worked around the clock, engaging in clean-up operations; repairing roads, potholes, and other storm and flood damage; removing fallen trees and storm debris; making areas and roads safe and accessible; and monitoring stormwater and wastewater systems.
The Municipality also initiated a thorough assessment of infrastructure damage, caused by the inclement weather. This assessment was used to prioritise repairs and restoration efforts, ensuring that critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public utilities were restored to normal functioning as quickly as possible.
The Drakenstein community has expressed their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the municipal teams, who braved freezing temperatures and rainy weather. Dr Johan Leibbrandt, City Manager of Drakenstein Municipality, said: “Disasters put extra pressure on municipal staff, resources and systems. We appreciate our staff reacting swiftly to the urgent needs of our community, and going out of their way to assist people, and restore services and infrastructure.”
The Municipality continues its proactive efforts to remove illegal dumping, litter and any other possible obstructions that could block the flow of stormwater and exacerbate flooding.
The Municipality can assure the Drakenstein community that the municipal stormwater system has been precisely designed, cleaned regularly, and is well maintained. The public’s constant illegal dumping and littering in stormwater drains does however occasionally block the system and prevents it from successfully draining and taking away run-off stormwater. The excessive water levels of the Berg River and the release of large volumes of water from dams contributed significantly to the recent floods.
Electricity outages
Electricity has been restored in most areas, with the following area still being partially affected:
• Parts of Wards 1 and 28 (Paarl): Private pump stations alongside the riverbank between Fraaigelegen and Watergat Roads. The Municipality’s Electro-Technical Services teams had to wait until the ground was stable enough for heavy vehicles to enter safely. Currently, the electricity has been partially restored, and repair work is ongoing.
Roads, bridges and mountain passes
Several roads were damaged, with potholes forming on main roads and lower order roads. Motorists were urged to take caution and drive slower. The Municipality’s Road Engineering and Traffic Services collaborated to clear the affected catchment areas and deploy traffic officers to help prevent accidents and traffic congestion in susceptible areas.
Roads that were damaged due to surface deformations and potholes include:
• Van der Stel Street (Paarl);
• Langenhoven Avenue (Paarl);
• Bartolomeu Street (Paarl);
• Symphonie Avenue (Paarl);
• Blue Moon Street (Paarl);
• Market Street (Paarl);
• Jan van Riebeeck Drive (Paarl);
• Lady Grey Street (Paarl); and
• Lady Loch Road (Wellington).
All roads have since been reopened. Currently, the Bainskloof Pass is still closed. The Huguenot Tunnel and Du Toits Kloof Pass are open for traffic in both directions. Distillery Street’s bridge (in Paarl) suffered damage but is stable and is continuously monitored; currently one lane is open to traffic.
Sports fields
Several of the Municipality’s sports fields are still waterlogged. To prioritise the safety of players and prevent further damage to the fields, the Municipality has agreed – with the various sporting federations – to implement a phased approach to reopening the fields for sporting and other events. It is crucial that the Municipality mitigates the risk of injury and ensures the fulfilment of league fixtures in a safe environment. No practices and games will take place during this week and the coming weekend (25 and 26 June 2023) – to allow for proper drainage and the improvement of the playing surfaces. The Municipality will assess the situation daily and will notify all stakeholders of any further developments.
Municipal cemeteries and scheduled burials
All burial activities at the Municipality’s cemeteries were halted earlier after an assessment by the Municipality – together with local funeral undertakers – had found that the ground formation and general conditions at the cemeteries were unsuitable for conducting burials. Affected families were contacted individually.
Following another comprehensive assessment on 21 June 2023, it was decided that all scheduled burials at cemeteries in Drakenstein will resume from Thursday, 22 June 2023. All necessary safety measures will be implemented.
Homeless persons
In response to the floods, Drakenstein Municipality provided shelter to 52 homeless persons. These individuals were accommodated at temporary overnight shelter facilities. The Municipality ensured that the homeless persons’ basic needs were met by providing them with three meals a day, as well as blankets. The Municipality also extended aid to homeless individuals across Drakenstein by supplying raincoats to those who opted to not make use of the shelter facilities.
Private residences
Urging communities to play their part, the Municipality has and continues to ask residents to clear the gutters and downpipes of their homes from leaves and debris – to assist the flow of stormwater and to prevent obstructions and flooding. It is imperative to check that drains are open to avoid objects from blocking the flow of water from properties.
Residents can contact the Municipality in the following ways:
• Emergencies and incidents can be reported to 080 131 3553 toll free.
• For fires, residents can call the Municipality’s Fire Services division at 021 872 2323.
