Home Bloemfontein floods: Disaster management team despatched to flood-hit areas

Bloemfontein floods: Disaster management team despatched to flood-hit areas

As reported by the Bloemfontein Courant, large parts of Mangaung was flooded after the most recent spate of heavy rains.

“Several residents in the Mangaung Metro sustained injuries and were taken to hospital after the city experienced a severe thunderstorm and cloud burst last night (10 January).”

Mangaung Metro spokesperson, Qondile Khedama told the publication that several residents were transported to a nearby hospital, and that residents were assisted by the Provincial EMS.

Bloemfontein flood damage

Most of the roads in the Mangaung Metro were washed away due to the floods, and the officials are in the process of relocating displaced community members.

In addition, authorities are calling on residents to “redirect water through trenches,” while motorists are urged to be cautious.

SABC News confirmed that the Free State Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs will be sending disaster management teams to the area.

This follows after corrugated iron sheets swept away by strong winds injured 16 people. Subsequently, members of the community appealed to the Free State government for assistance.

Residents in need of assistance

According to the residents, any assistance would be appreciated as they’ve lost furniture and clothes, and even important personal documents.

“The books are gone, all my belongings are gone. Laptops that got information; everything is gone. I have to start all over again. I have lost everything and my two children are injured. I don’t know what to do.”

A resident from the Caleb Motshabi informal settlement

According to a spokesperson for the Free State Disaster Management, Marcus Butler, more than 20 people have been injured (at the time of publishing).

“People were injured but they did not leave their houses due to the fact that they were scared they are going to lose their possessions. That is a sad reality of living in the informal settlement.”

Bloemfontein flood warnings

Earlier today (11 January 2020), the South African Weather Service issued a warning for the Bloemfontein area.

According to the SAWS alert, heavy rains and slow-moving storms were observed between Brandfort and Bloemfontein, and over DeWetsdorp as well.

The storms are moving south-east at 15km per hour towards Thaba Nchu and will most likely result in flash flooding; residents are urged to take precautions.

In addition, a storm watch alert was also issued for central parts of the Free State today, spanning from 14:00 to 22:00 on Saturday 11 January:

“Flooding: slow-moving storms can lead to localised flooding over the western and central parts of the Free State today after heavy rain yesterday and saturated ground conditions”.

Watch: Bloemfontein flood reports

Bloemfontein floods and storm gallery



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