More than 9 400 learners stayed home for a second day today as Beaufort West struggles to restore water services following severe flooding that destroyed the town’s main water infrastructure.

The Central Karoo town remains in a state of emergency after flash flooding of the Gamka River on Friday, 4 September, washed away large sections of the main 600mm water pipeline.

Twelve public schools closed their doors on Monday and remained shut today, Tuesday 8 September, as the municipality races to provide alternative water sources to residents.

Pipeline still underwater

Technical teams cannot yet assess the full extent of damage to the main pipeline because it remains submerged under floodwater, acting municipal manager Frans Sabbat told SABC News.

Officials will only estimate repair times after the water recedes enough for teams to inspect the site.

Mayor Georgina Duimpies said the municipality remains in a severe state of emergency after the flooding washed away a large portion of the town’s water infrastructure network.

The municipality has warned residents not to drink or use water from household taps until officials confirm the supply is safe.

Emergency water distribution continues

The Western Cape Government allocated R1 million for emergency repairs and is coordinating water tanker deployments to affected areas.

Provincial minister of local government, environmental affairs and development planning Anton Bredell said the immediate priority is to ensure residents continue to have access to safe drinking water while repairs are undertaken.

The municipality deployed two water tanker trucks and is expecting six JoJo tanks to arrive in Beaufort West.

Residents must collect water from designated distribution points across the town. The municipality will communicate locations and operating times through its official platforms.

Relief organisations step in

Disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers activated water tankers from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to assist with the crisis.

Operations manager Ali Sablay said teams will prioritise critical facilities including hospitals, schools and old-age homes.

The organisation will also assess boreholes it drilled in 2017 during Beaufort West’s previous water crisis to see if they can be reactivated.

Karoo National Park provided two trucks carrying 5 000 litres of water each and mobilised SANParks Honorary Rangers to source bottled water for distribution.

The park’s teams were in Rustdene on Monday providing humanitarian assistance to communities.

Already under strain

The flooding struck a town already experiencing severe water stress.

The Gamka Dam stood at approximately 14% capacity earlier this year, with only 26 of 40 boreholes operational.

Municipal water losses have been reported as high as 77%.

In July, the Western Cape Government provided R2,6 million to restore three vandalised boreholes, along with R500 000 for leak detection equipment and R795 000 for water demand management initiatives.

Schools affected

The 12 schools affected are AH Barnard Primary, Bastiaanse Secondary, Beaufort West Preparatory, Beaufort West Primary, Beaufort-Wes Secondary, HM Dikkla Primary, John D Crawford Primary, Mandlenkosi Secondary, Niko Brummer Primary, Sentraal High, St Matthews Primary and Teske Gedenk Primary.

The Western Cape Education Department said schools will communicate directly with learners and parents about revised examination schedules and alternative assessment arrangements.

A Joint Operations Centre with different role players has been established to handle the emergency.

Duimpies called on residents to cooperate with authorities, remain patient and use water sparingly during the crisis.

The provincial government said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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