The O.R. Tambo District Municipality is currently affected by heavy flooding, with reports of a 10-year-old boy that drowned while trying to cross a flooded river in Port St Johns.
In a statement released by the O. R. Tambo DM on Facebook this morning, it was confirmed that the boy, from Ngxongweni village near Port St Johns, drowned while crossing a flooded river on Tuesday, April 12.
“Yesterday the District Disaster and Risk Management spent the day assessing the damages and also distributing blankets and mattresses to people who have been left homeless by the torrential rains,” the statement read.
The statement further said that affected communities would be visited by COGTA MEC, Xolile Nqatha, and that The Gift of the Givers was also expected to visit the area to provide social relief to members of the community who were left homeless following the torrential rain.
Babalwa Ndlanya reported the Head of Communications from O.R. Tambo DM, Zimkhita Macingwane, confirmed that across the five Municipalities in its region, there have been extensive damage to road infrastructure and homes. These municipalities are King Sabatha Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Mhlontlo, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill.
According to a statement by O.R. Tambo DM, about 30 houses have collapsed so far, especially in the Port St Johns, Nyandeni and King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) municipal areas.
“Meanwhile, Port St Johns and Green Farm Location were submerged in rising water. Rescue teams aided people who were forced to abandon their homes because of the floods,” said Macingwane.
She added that the Port St Johns Municipal offices were also flooded.
Macingwane said they have also received reports from the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality that 17 tourists from Gauteng were stranded at Lambasi Resort in Lusikisiki due to the flooding of a bridge they were supposed to cross for their departure. She confirmed that teams were doing everything possible to assist the affected people.
- Incidents can be reported on 047 501 6494 or 47 501 6584.
Port st johns is also flooded
?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/CSrRQiodtZ— ncumokazi (@ncumolwe2) April 12, 2022
