Residents fear another flood
Morninghill resident Mr Craig Thatcher said, “Our concern is that due to the incomplete rehabilitation of the mountain, a heavy rain or cloudburst would thrust the rocks and mud back from the mountain and again damage our property.
Morninghill residents have raise concerns about the possibility of yet another mud and rock flood reoccurring this rainy season following the flooding that occurred on April 20.
About 10 properties were damaged by a wall of water with red mud and rocks which followed after a 700 millimetre pipe burst, which was connected to the water reservoir in Gillooly’s Hill earlier this year. Residents have had insurance assessments done and contractors are nearing the completion of individual property repairs. With the rehabilitation of the mountain still incomplete, residents are concerned that a heavy rain could set their recovery progress back.
Morninghill resident Mr Craig Thatcher said, “Our concern is that due to the incomplete rehabilitation of the mountain, a heavy rain or cloudburst would thrust the rocks and mud back from the mountain and again damage our property.
“Following on from a burst water line, there has apparently been little to no effort taken to rehabilitate the mountain. The water connection appears to have been restored months ago. A follow up from council as well as the Rand Water Board has repeatedly been requested with no feedback.”
According to the chairman of the Morninghill Residents Association, Mr Tim Norris, “Johannesburg Water has repaired the pipe and it is now up to them to actually do the rehabilitation of the mountain. They have to clear away the debris that remains. Assuming the repair of the pipe was thoroughly done, residents shouldn’t be worried about another flood.”
Mr Sam Modiba, the spokesperson of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality said, “I received a number of claims from residents who suffered damages, but I believe they will ultimately be referred to the City of Joburg or Rand Water to be dealt with. The problem which this issue alludes to is the erosion of the koppie, which has created a risk of further flooding to the houses below if it is not rehabilitated.
“A way that residents could possibly handle this matter is to institute a claim against the City of Joburg for rehabilitation. The claim will however, have to be quantified or the koppie rehabilitated, and the City of Joburg be held responsible for the bill.”
The Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) of Ekurhuleni have since formed a Summer Safety Campaign on October 22 to alert different communities within the City of Ekurhuleni on dangers relating to different weather patterns.
Residents are once again urged to be vigilant as far as the activation of the Disaster and Emergency Services Departments are concerned. For all life threatening emergencies, individuals are encouraged to use the direct emergency number of 011 458-0911 or the toll-free numbers of 10177 and 112.
