Following the most recent heavy rainfall in Nelson Mandela Bay, as predicted by the South African Weather Service, municipal infrastructure across the Metro has been significantly affected.
The downpour has resulted in power outages, road closures, and blocked stormwater drains. NMBM Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, convened the Metro’s Disaster Management Joint Operating Centre (JOC) on Tuesday, November 5, to address the immediate infrastructure challenges.
“Flooded areas are being made safe, and constant monitoring is being conducted. Repairs are underway. All Medium Voltage cable faults have been located, and our teams are currently busy with repairs and pressure testing.
There is a possibility that more areas will be without power due to flooding around the electricity infrastructure. To protect our residents and the infrastructure, we might need to switch off certain areas.
We will inform residents which areas these are and appeal for their patience during this time.”
The heavy rains have left several electricity depots without power. The Mayor warned residents about the dangers posed by the stormwater pipe lids that have been uplifted due to water pressure.
She urged caution when using the following affected roads: Struanway Road, Mavuso Road (off Struanway Road), Daku Road (off Struanway Road, towards Njoli Road), Spondo Road, Qeqe Road, Salamtu Road, Johnson Road, and Koyana Road (from Kwadesi side).
Additionally, motorists on the M17 should exercise extreme caution as drain lids are out. Mayor Lobishe also announced the postponement of the council meeting scheduled for today, stating, “We need to be on the ground with ward councillors. The South African Weather Service has indicated that the rain will gradually subside during the day; however, we remain on high alert.”
Due to the heavy rains, the following electricity depots remain without electricity:
- North Depot – Billet Street, Gelvandal.
- Uitenhage Depot – At Rosedale/Thabo 2 11kv Open
Circuit Breaker tripped, affecting
Thamboville and surrounding
areas. - Uitenhage Depot – Kwa-Nobuhle Open Circuit Breaker
tripped and surroundings. - South End – Diaz Road /Alexander Rd Mini 6kv
Open Circuit Breaker tripped. - HV Depot – At Lawson Road/Trfr1 22kv Open
Circuit Breaker tripped and
Steward and Lloyd 6kv Open
Circuit Breaker tripped affecting
Lawson Road, Sidwell, and
surrounding areas.
The following roads remain flooded or closed due to flooding and alternative routes
have been provided by NMBM Traffic Services:
- Flooding Kleinskool crossing
- Pickering Street Newton Park
- Newton Street
- Durban Road Korsten behind Shoprite
- Standford Road Korsten
- Villiers Road from 5th Ave up till 11th Ave
- Markmen Industrial
- Walker Drive
- Allistet Miller Drive opposite the Airport
Public - Off ramp from N2 into Deal Party at Volvo is 75% flooded.
- M4 going into town under Algoa Bridge 2 of 3 lanes flooded – this is a bad one .
- 3rd Ave Dip – CLOSED
- Perverence crossing – CLOSED
- Bethelsdorp Precinct- Leak on roof Drillhall – CLOSED
- Bethelsdorp Road – CLOSED
- Betram Road – CLOSED
- Willow Dam – Manned by Metro Police – CLOSED
- Rensburg Street ext.27- CLOSED
- Kleinskool crossing – CLOSED
- Standford Road Sasol and Jackson Street – CLOSED
- Boysens Park Nooitgedacht – CLOSED
- Kariega Durban Road – VW Manned by metro Police – CLOSED
- Madina Street – CLOSED
- La Roche – CLOSED
- Allister Miller – CLOSED
Reports of puddles that motorists should slow down for:
- M4 from town towards Deal Party, near prison/graveyard 2 lanes flooded
- Cape Road & 3rd Avenue
- Cape Road & Brabant
- N2 Thornhill / Van Stadens
- Disa Ave just passed Sasol Garage towards the N2
- N2 under the Standford Road bridge
- N2 between Commercial Bridge & Standford Bridge
- William Moffet Dip
- Strandfontein & La Roche
- M4 Russel Road when coming from Summerstrand
- Walter Road Charlo from Circular to Godfrey Road
