Amanzimtoti River flooding on Civic Road brings car woes
Signage as one approaches the underpass warns motorists of the risks of flooding, which must be heeded.
MOTORISTS are advised to exercise caution and slow down when driving next to the old Amanzimtoti central business district in Civic Road, and slow down when passing from the CBD alongside the Amanzimtoti River towards or from Isundu Drive.
This follows a post published on the eThekwini Ward 97 Forum Facebook page, in which motorist Mandy Bingham shared her frustration after her car’s engine flooded and seized due to the rising river water she had encountered on Wednesday night, 24 January. As a result of the rising water, the low-lying section of the road under the N2 had flooded.
Mandy wrote that her car was soaked and her son and his friend had to push the car out before it was towed away.
Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge explained that the river frequently burst its banks in this vicinity, as a result of prevailing weather and natural conditions. He said signage as one approaches the underpass warns motorists of the risks of flooding, which must be heeded.
“It’s actually a combination of the NE winds forcing an enlarged sand bank that in turn closes up the river mouth. This compromises continuous water flow and enlarges the catchment area.”
He added that without a direct risk to life or property, there is no justification to breach the river mouth (and thus allow the water level to subside) and nature would have to ‘take its course’.
