It is with great sadness that we inform residents of three fatalities reported amidst the heavy rains and floods that have plagued large parts of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). Investigations are still ongoing; thus, it is prudent to allow the relevant state entities to conduct and conclude their enquiries instead of speculating on the exact causes of death. We offer our sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, said NMBM Executive Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk.
As of today, almost 3,000 people have been displaced and are accommodated in 19 shelters across the Metro. As a short-term measure, the National Department of Human Settlements is expected to deploy three officials today to conduct the necessary assessments before exploring options to relocate the affected people to more decent and humane temporary emergency areas.
Funds are being sourced to provide temporary structures until the residents are permanently moved, with timeframes subject to budget availability.The Municipality is working to restore electricity in parts of the Metro affected by the heavy rains. Ongoing assessments of damage to infrastructure continue, with the Greenbushes substation almost submerged. Customers are currently being serviced via Chelsea/Greenbushes back feeding. Vacuuming of water has been initiated at the substation, after which the Municipality will assess the extent of the damage.
The NMBM Metro Police, SAPS, and local and provincial traffic services are hard at work to ensure the safety of residents in affected communities and on the roads. Members of the public are cautioned to take precautions on the roads at all times.
The Kelvin Jones wastewater treatment works have been affected by the heavy rains, as result of power outages. The Municipality is currently working on restoring power and securing a backup generator as an emergency solution.
Each of the five depots has appointed two contractors to assist with jetting the stormwater network and vacuuming flooded streets across the Metro. Additional assistance from contractors with minor road repairs and clearing of debris is being sourced for mop-up operations, weather permitting.
The business sector has not escaped the wrath of the heavy rains and floods, with various businesses affected in 12 commercial/industrial clusters and precincts of Nelson Mandela Bay. According to a survey undertaken by the NMB Business Chamber, 62% reported high absenteeism levels. A further 35% reported facilities that had been flooded, with Markman, Perseverance, and Kariega being the hardest hit, affecting productivity and production facilities. Other business areas most impacted by flooding include Neave/Korsten, Baakens Valley, Kariega, Newton Park, North End, and Deal Party.
Some taxi ranks in townships are not operational, affecting the commuting of residents. Informal trading operations have been affected, and there are incidents of damage to both commercial and small-scale farming areas of NMBM, with small- scale farmers hardest hit by the heavy rains and floods.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders, including our provincial government, state entities, national government, NGOs, business formations,businesses, emergency services, and employees who have answered the call to put lives first during this unfortunate natural disaster, said NMBM Executive Mayor, Cllr Gary Van Niekerk. Let us continue to work together to restore lives and infrastructure damaged by the heavy rains and floods, he elaborated.
NMB Communications
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