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Eastern Cape floods: ‘I have nothing left’ [VIDEO]
There is reportedly no electricity or safe drink water in several parts of Nelson Mandela Bay
Picture: Screengrab of video.
Gift of the Givers has sent its teams to areas of the Eastern Cape that have been affected by severe flooding and heavy rain.
Several roads in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, including Gqeberha and Kariega, have been closed or affected by flooding caused by the rain.
Businesses have closed, as have driver’s licence and testing centres. Flights to and from the area have also reportedly been delayed in the chaos.
No electricity or safe drinking water
Several parts of the municipality, including KwaNobuhle, are reportedly without electricity and safe drinking water as facilities flooded.
Residents have also been warned not to swim in flooded streets.
“Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality wishes to urge all residents, especially children, to refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
“Bodies of water may be in contact with live electricity substations, mini substations, cables, or Central Distribution Units. This causes a great risk of electrocution.”
Watch: Flooding in a Gqeberha home
Gift of the Givers have mobilized its teams following severe flooding and heavy rain in the Eastern Cape. Several roads in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro including Gqeberha and Kariega have been closed or affected #EasternCapeFloods @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/HyMSnsTnVu
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) October 22, 2024
More to come
The rain is expected to continue on Tuesday with the SA Weather Service issuing an orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain.
It said this could lead to flooding of settlements, properties and roads.
It also warned some communities could be temporarily cut off in places along the Eastern Cape coast and adjacent interior.
However, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality dismissed social media claims that schools had been closed and all motorists told to stay off the road from 2.30pm, ahead of new storms.
Evacuation in Kariega
The municipality said dozens of people in Kariega (Uitenhage) were evacuated from several areas, including Lapland, which was also badly affected previously.
Nelson Mandela Municipality spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said evacuated residents of Dr Braun are being taken to churches and community centres, with the town hall in Kariega also being used as a place of shelter.
He said evacuations are also underway in Missionvale and Kariega.
“As a relief measure, residents have been moved to Sunshine School, Missionvale Care Centre and the UCC Church. NMBM’s Disaster Management Directorate will be moving residents from Laapland to Tambo Hall, residents from Veeplaas and Soweto will be moved to Veeplaas Community Hall and residents from Soweto and Salamntu will be moved to Soweto Community Hall.
“Residents will be provided with mattresses, blankets and soup whilst mop-up operations continue. Gift of the Givers, Shoprite, NHC Nama Royal House, Al-Imdaad Foundation and SASCO Pepsi Co have donated warm meals that will go to residents who have been moved to the evacuation halls.”
ALSO READ: Joburg emergency services on high alert for severe thunderstorms in Gauteng
‘I have nothing left’
SABC News journalist Lerato Fekisi spoke to a Missionvale resident who said her daughter was unable to get out of her door due to the pressure of the water pushed against it.
“I said we can’t be here anyone. At 1am, we were outside with our neighbours [trying to get help].
“It is very bad. I have nothing left. My stove, fridge, bedding, food, everything [is gone],” she said, emotionally.
Watch: A resident explains how flooding ruined her home
Gift of the Givers teams on standby
Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said his teams have been activated in Nelson Mandela Bay with support teams arriving with food, blankets and new clothing from East London and Knysna.
“Given the unavailability of clean drinking water two of our water tankers are on the way from Adelaide. We may procure two more tankers from Isuzu, our partner.
“Cerebos will provide bottled water as well as noodles. Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Municipality Business Chamber, a disaster partner, will be a collection point for new items.
— Duchess of Gqeberha (@Cyamthanda_) October 22, 2024
“Disaster management has requested transport to evacuate individuals to safer areas. Gift of the Givers is looking into providing buses and taxis for this,” Sooliman said.
Sooliman said Gift of the Givers teams are also on standby in Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“Supplies from these centres may also be dispatched if necessary,” Sooliman said.
NOW READ: WATCH: Gift of the Givers assist flood ravaged Western Cape
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