Heavy rains have caused flooding and rockslides in the southern Cape over the past two days.
A group of 60 caravanners had to be evacuated from the Pine Creek holiday resort near the Groot Brakrivier on Wednesday. ”Some people have gone home, some have found other accommodation and some are waiting outside for the rain to subside,” said the resort’s owner, John Imbrailo.
He said the evacuation started at 4am in the morning. The rain had abated and everything was back under control by early afternoon.
Meanwhile, the road between Ladysmith and Calitzdorp was closed because of rockfalls brought about by heavy rain.
”Motorists should find alternative routes as the roads will be closed for the whole day as clean-up operations are taking place,” said Captain Malcolm Pojie. He advised motorists to use the alternative road from Ladysmith via Riversdal.
There were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or fatalities.
In Laingsburg, residents were preparing for floods on Tuesday after the Buffels River burst its banks. However, the threat had largely dissipated by Wednesday afternoon.
More than 100 people lost their lives when the Buffels River burst its banks on January 25 1981, leaving only 21 houses standing in the small Karoo town.
”There is no imminent threat to people or property at this stage,” said Karoo disaster-management services head Hein Rust. ”The secondary roads of Floriskraal Dam bore the brunt of the floods with the most damage caused to the secondary roads. There is a chance that the sluice gates could be opened, to relieve water pressure on the Floriskraal Dam,” he said.
According to the South African Weather Service, the rainy conditions will clear by Thursday. — Sapa