BUFFALO CITY METRO INTERVENING IN AFFECTED AREAS AS NUMBERS OF DISPLACED RISES TO 1300
The Buffalo City Metro is intervening in areas that have been impacted by floods as the number has now risen to 1300.
Displaced residents have been accommodated in community halls in Mdantsane, Braelyn and Mzamomhle whilst others are being moved to chalets, old age homes and temporary housing structures.
11 wards across the Metro have been affected including areas like Ducats, Pefferville, Duncan Village, Cambridge Location, Mzamomhle, Reeston, Stoney Drift, Mdantsane and Gompo.
Rescue operations are continuous as emergency teams remain on high alert.
Search and Rescue teams are still searching for a missing 20-year-old who was washed away near Dawn in East London.
A pedestrian was fatally knocked down in a flooded street in Westbank over the weekend.
A 13-year-old that was reported drowning in Amalinda Forest, was rescued alive.
Electricity
The Metro is dealing with 379 electrical fault cases in various areas in East London, Mdantsane and eQonce area.
All teams have been assigned to the different regions.
The main challenge is fallen electrical poles leading to cables and transformers being dysfunctional.
Social Relief
The Metro is also working with the Department of Social Development together with NGOs Gift of the Givers and Living Hope to assist with clothes, groceries, blankets and food parcels.
This morning, Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Councilor Princess Faku visited Duncan Village, Mdantsane and Stoney Drift together with the NGO Gift of the Givers.
Disaster Social Relief Packs which include groceries have been distributed in affected wards across the Metro. This is continuous.
Blankets are also being distributed.
The Department of Social development is also assisting with hot meals.
Relocations
The Metro is engaging with the Department of Human Settlements to avail temporary relocation structures.
Thus far, 800 temporary structures are being verified to be included in the database.
Beaches
All Metro beaches remain closed since yesterday.
Sea conditions are still very dangerous with debris and floating objects in the water posing danger.
Rescue operations
In East London, yesterday the NSRI, SA Police Services, Police Dive Unit, Police K9 Search and Rescue responded to a sailing yacht with a jetty saving a passenger barge from sinking.
Priority Care Ambulance Services, BCM Traffic Services and Emergency Services responded to 10 flood related incidents at various locations around East London.
At various locations around East London persons (families) were assisted from flood related entrapments at residences, buildings, vehicles and at flooded areas in 10 search and rescue operations.
In one scene, 6 persons (4 adults, one aged 80, and 2 children) were rescued from a flooded home, where sadly their 2 dogs succumbed to fatal drowning.
Burials
The Metro is arranging with families that were unable to conduct burials over the weekend.
Roads and Drainage
The heavy rains have posed challenges in the city's storm water drainage systems resulting to blockage of major roads such as Settlersway, Biko Bride from Westbank to East London CBD, Cambridge Cemetery, Duncan Village, Cc Loyd Township, Parkridge, Scenery Park.
An initial damaged assessment has been conducted by Disaster Management Service, and the City's Infrastructure, Traffic, Fire & Rescue Services have been instrumental in unblocking and clearing of blockages.
The Metro is advising motorists to be cautious around flooded roads and bridges.
Communities and motorists are urged to be extra cautious and report any incidents.
Emergency Contacts
Residents are urged to call emergency services call centre @ 043 705 9000 and their respective ward Councilors.
The City has set up a Disaster Management Operations Centre is being chaired by Executive Mayor which includes Disaster Management, Law Enforcement, Traffic, Fire, Police Lifesaving, EMS Ambulance services and NSRI.
The Metro is still urging residents to be on high alert as more disruptive rain is predicted for the rest of the weekend.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane assured residents that government was putting together resources to improve their dire situation.
"As Provincial government, we are busy with the assessment of damages, let's remain united, vigilant, and monitor weather updates as further rainfall is anticipated. Together, we stand stronger."
Issued by BCM Communications
