HUMANSDORP – A sinkhole that developed on the R102 near Boskloof, Humansdorp, following recent severe flooding is concealing far more extensive damage beneath the road surface, with engineers warning of significant underground voids and the risk of further collapse if repairs are not properly engineered and implemented.

Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman advised residents and road users that Kouga Local Municipality continues to engage closely with the Provincial Department of Transport (DOT) regarding the sinkhole.

He said that due to the extent of the damage sustained to the roadway and the underlying stormwater infrastructure following the recent severe flood events experienced in the region, comprehensive assessments have been undertaken by engineers from the Provincial Department of Transport in conjunction with Kouga Local Municipality.

“The investigations have confirmed that the failure extends beyond the visible road surface and affects the underlying support layers and stormwater infrastructure located beneath the roadway,” said Bornman.

He said that the assessments further indicate that the existing stormwater system experienced exceptionally high flow volumes during the flood events, resulting in erosion, scour and the loss of structural support material beneath the pavement structure.

Bornman said that as a result, significant voids have developed beneath portions of the roadway, increasing the risk of further collapse should remedial works not be properly engineered and implemented.

He said that given the nature and extent of the damage, the repair solution requires detailed engineering investigations and the development of a sustainable remedial design to ensure the long-term integrity and safety of both the road and the associated stormwater infrastructure.

Bornman said that the engineering solution must adequately address:

• The replacement and upgrading of the damaged stormwater infrastructure
• The stabilisation of the affected subgrade and foundation materials
• The elimination of underground voids caused by erosion and wash-away of supporting material
• The restoration of the structural integrity of the road pavement layers
• The accommodation of future flood events through improved hydraulic performance and drainage capacity
• The prevention of recurring failures and sinkhole formation.

Bornman said that construction activities will commence immediately upon finalisation and approval of the sustainable engineering remedial measures required to address the identified defects.

“In the interim, traffic accommodation measures remain in place, and motorists are requested to continue exercising caution when travelling through the area.”

He added that heavy motor vehicles and freight operators are strongly encouraged to utilise the N2 as the preferred alternative route wherever possible in order to minimise further impacts on local and residential road networks.

As previously reported, the heavy rain that struck the Kouga and Kou-Kamma regions from 3 June caused flooding, road damage and soil loss across parts of the area, but the event was significantly less severe than the unprecedented flood of early May.

During the May and June floods. residents were urged to prepare after the South African Weather Service upgraded its warning to Level 8 for disruptive rain.

The June rainfall led to road closures, rockfalls and flooding across the region, prompting advisories from both the Eastern Cape Department of Transport and Kouga Local Municipality.

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