The Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) has declared a state of disaster after 50 families were left homeless due to the recent severe
weather conditions in the area.
Speaking
during a media briefing on Monday, January 17 CHDM executive mayor, Wongama Gela, said these severe weather conditions happened between December 13 and January 14.
“Response teams were dispatched across the district as our disaster
management teams are always on high alert to respond to any eventualities and
were on standby. Strong winds, heavy rains and severe thunderstorms were expected
to hit the district during this period,” he said.
Gela
said the bad weather caused damage to properties in Emalahleni, Engcobo and
Intsika Yethu, Enoch Mgijima and Inxuba Yethemba local municipalities.
“A
total 135 properties were damaged rendering 50 families homeless. Executive
mayors and mayors visited the affected areas to assess the damage and
worked with disaster management officials to provide rapid and effective
responses to families that have been affected,” Gela said.
Structural
damage ranged from partially to totally destroyed houses and “it is such a
huge relief that no fatalities were reported”.
Damage assessment reports
were forwarded to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and human
settlements department. A quick turnaround time is expected on submitted
applications. The transport department is also conducting assessment of all
road infrastructure that was affected.
“As
the district we remain on high alert, we would like to urge communities
to be cautious and avoid crossing bridges and rivers when there is flooding and
to also make use of our customer care centre on 0800 100 100. Our teams will
continue to monitor weather patterns with the help of SA Weather
Services,” Gela said.
