Heavy rain falls in Central Drakensberg
Bell Park Dam is overflowing
Around 100mm of rain in a matter of only an hour turned the gently-flowing rivers in the Central Drakensberg into raging, fast-flowing torrents.
At around 18:00 yesterday evening (January 19), a massive thunderstorm swept through the Central Drakensberg mountain range.
Speaking to farmers and residents from the area, they say that the storm was swift and by 20:00, the water in the rivers had already slowed down.
Also read: Heavy rainfall causes localised flooding in Winterton area
Clean-up operations began early this morning, with staff from Cathkin Estate removing masses of mud from the low water bridge on the R600, where the Sterkspruit crosses, so that vehicles could pass over.
According to a Cathkin Peak resident, the area has been receiving continuous rainfall over the last few weeks.
Bell Park Dam is overflowing due to the heavy rainfall.
Fortunately, nobody was injured in the storm.
The Bergville Water Treatment Works has also been flooded.
uThukela District Municipality released the following statement:
uThukela District Municipality informs the residents and businesses in Okhahlamba Local Municipality that our raw water pumps are flooded at the Bergville Water Treatment Works following heavy downpours and flooding experienced last night. The plant is currently not operational. Our technical team is on site to assess the situation. The following areas will thus be affected by water interruptions: Bergville town, Woodford, Rookdale, Bhethani, Acton Homes and Hambrook. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
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