- ‘Please share your photos’: Ndlambe documenting damage to secure disaster funding for repairs
- Mopping up operations start in earnest on Monday September 18
- ‘Stay away from damaged areas’
MARK CARRELS
Mopping up operations following Saturday’s high sea event that caused flooding and extensive damage will begin in earnest along the Ndlambe coastline tomorrow (Monday September 18).
That’s the word from deputy director for Community Protection Services, Fanie Fouche. He said the Port Alfred CBD did not experience serious flooding with the second spring tide event on Sunday September 17. Ndlambe CPS officials and emergency crews were earlier on high alert following a warning of a second spring tide event on Sunday that could lead to flooding.
“The CBD was not affected by Sunday afternoon’s spring tide … though there was a patch of water in Campbell Street (in front of doctor’s rooms) and a small pool of water at Kowie news agency. So it was nowhere severe as it was on Saturday and the wind had died down … so the worst of the storm is over,” said Fouche.
Fouche said they were expecting the situation to normalise as the tide changed to low tide.
Fouche said Ndlambe Municipality officials had already started doing an assessment of damages along the coastline from early on Sunday morning. The damage assessment covers the area from Canon Rocks to Fish River. They will be compiling a business plan and follow the National Environmental Management Act emergency provisions to obtain environmental authorisation and apply for funding to various departments to do emergency repair work along the coast.
“If any members of the public have any photographs of the high sea events that happened between Canon Rocks and Fish River they are welcome to email it to me: ffouche@ndlambe.gov.za so that we can have that as part of the business plan and presentations.
“Our coastline has been hammered, our coastal infrastructure, car parks boardwalks and facilities have been impacted as well as ablutions … we would like the public to be aware of that and please to take caution when they visit these beaches where damages have occurred. It is better to stay away from these areas to avoid possible injuries,” he said.