One of the badly damaged bridges.
Residents across Limpopo are facing a difficult start to the week as the province deals with the aftermath of a weekend of heavy rainfall.
From March 13 to March 15, intense storms triggered widespread flooding, destroying homes and leaving entire villages cut off from the rest of the world.
The Vhembe District has been hit particularly hard. Officials have confirmed that at least one person, a 67 year old male from Khubvi Village, tragically drowned. His body was recovered last week, but the search continues for two other men who are still missing. In this district alone, 20 houses were severely impacted.
Nine of these homes had their roofs blown away, six completely collapsed, and five were filled with water.
Infrastructure damage is also a major concern. In Vhembe, 16 bridges and 35 roads are reported to be badly damaged. Six roads are completely impassable. Motorists who need to travel to Thohoyandou are being told to use the Madimbo route to avoid flooded areas.
The Waterberg District has also seen its share of destruction. In the Mogalakwena Municipality, residents of the Galakwena and Jakkalskei villages were trapped when floodwaters cut off their communities. Rescue teams had to be called in to save five people who were swept away in a vehicle. They managed to survive by climbing onto the roof of their car until help arrived. In Lephalale, a vital water pump that supplies nine villages is now underwater, threatening the local water supply.
Government officials are taking urgent action to protect the public. Schools in both the Vhembe and Mopani Districts have been closed today and tomorrow as a safety measure. Roads that are too dangerous to use, like the D972 near Melkrivier, have been closed by engineers until they can be properly inspected.
There is also growing concern about the province’s dams. The Middle Letaba Dam is overflowing for the first time in 26 years. Several other dams, including Glen Alpine and Nsami, are also over capacity, and gates have been opened at others to manage the rising water levels.
Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has urged everyone to stay away from flooded rivers and to move to higher ground if they feel they are in danger. Disaster management teams are currently handing out blankets and food to families who have lost their homes. All local municipalities have until March 25 to finish their full damage reports so the government can begin the long process of rebuilding.
A completely impassable road