By Levy Masiteng
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has sent a national emergency housing team to Limpopo and Mpumalanga after heavy rains this week caused widespread flooding and damage in both provinces.
The teams are conducting physical verification of all households impacted by the rain, the department said in a statement on Saturday.
At least 19 people have died in the provinces as a result of the flooding. The South African National Defence Force has deployed troops to assist those who need medical attention, and those who are stuck as a result of the high waters.
The Human Settlements assessments “will determine the extent of the damage and inform the department of the appropriate emergency housing interventions to be implemented, assisting affected families”.
More than 1500 households have been affected, with the majority located in Limpopo, the department said.
“In Limpopo, a total of four District Municipalities are currently undergoing verification, while the Capricorn District is yet to commence with the process.”
Verification is also underway in Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande District Municipalities in Mpumalanga.
“Preliminary findings indicate that four households will require relocation due to residing below the flood line [in Ehlanzeni],” said the department.
Eight households in Gert Sibande will need Temporary Residential Units.
The deployment comes as the South African Weather Service issued its highest impact-based warning level for disruptive rain in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga this week, warning of widespread flooding that could endanger lives, displace communities and damage infrastructure.
Flooding linked to days of intense rainfall has also disrupted tourism and emergency services in the region, with authorities temporarily shutting Kruger National Park to day visitors after rivers burst their banks and some areas were evacuated.
To speed up the household checks, the department said Simelane had directed additional capacity to be deployed in both provinces.
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