Snow worshippers should refrain from heading outdoors to witness the blanket of snow over northern parts of the Eastern Cape, the Provincial and Local Government Department said on Wednesday.
”Everybody wants to take a look at the snow but they are creating difficulties for the rescue workers.
”They should rather just stay indoors,” deputy disaster management director Servaas de Kok told Sapa.
”Yes, it is pretty to look at the snow, but the weather conditions are not good.
”The roads are still very dangerous and people could easily cause accidents.” De Kok was part of a national delegation that conducted a fact-finding mission to the affected areas along with the SA National Defence Force on Tuesday.
The government this week declared a state of disaster in Cala, Ugie, Elliot, Indwe and Barkly East after heavy snow started falling in the area a week ago.
Four people froze to death, several drowned and hundreds were left stranded when roads were closed.
De Kok said fences were covered with snow and several farmers and informal settlers were still cut off from the rest of the world.
”We flew over the area in a six-seater plane. At some places you could see how farmers tried to drive out, but they just had to reverse again. There is just no way of getting out of there. It is unbelievable,” he said.
Agri Eastern Cape said about 500 cattle and 20 000 sheep were in danger since farmers could not access the roads to take them food.
The local agricultural department had been asked to assist with airlifting animal feed to the stock, De Kok said.
He said parts of Cala and Elliot were still without electricity and food and other emergency supplies were still being shipped in. Several shops in these towns have also been closed after being looted when heavy snow caused their roofs to collapse.
Fifty-three businesses, 102 farm houses, more than 3 000 informal dwellings and several schools were damaged. Initial estimates put the damage around R20-million, excluding stock losses.
De Kok said water supply to Cala was still cut off after power failures and there were concerns about cholera. An advisor at the national Department of Water Affairs would assist the rescue teams with fixing the system.
”Most of emergency situations have been resolved, now it’s just a question of assisting the people who suffered severe losses.
”We have to give credit to the defence force and Captain John Fobian of the police’s disaster management services. They co-ordinated a well planned and successful operation,” he said. – Sapa