City’s drainage system is getting attention after flash floods

POLOKWANE – The stormwater unit in Polokwane Municipality has started refurbishing the city’s stormwater drains, following last month’s flooding.

The city’s poorly functioning stormwater system came under the spotlight after the evening of February 1, when downpours saw rain of an estimated 75mm in under an hour causing flash floods that overburdened the stormwater drain system in especially the central business district and residential homes in Nirvana.

Read more: Flash floods: City’s drainage systems not up to task

Municipal workers, while patching potholes in Witklip Street in Ladanna two weeks ago, also cleaned the dirt-ridden pipes, that were blocked as a result of litter dumping.

The inner city and immediate outskirts are prioritised, although no timelines have been drawn, according to municipal spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo.

The work follows shortly after Polokwane Mayor John Mpe announced the urgent allocation of an unstipulated portion of R6m which is additionally given to maintain the storm water system, some of which is a portion of the roads maintenance funds.

“The money set aside has been reprioritised from the existing roads maintenance sections and the funds are not necessarily meant to address the physical infrastructure damage because the repairs and maintenance are currently being executed internally by municipal staff. The funds are also meant to develop a stormwater master plan which will guide future storm water planning for the city and other areas,” Mothapo adds.