Brits, North West -
A woman died and four other people were rescued after their cars were swept away in flooding in Brits, the North West provincial government said on Wednesday.
Meisie van Tonder, 56, was found by police divers on Wednesday morning, while the four others were rescued on Tuesday evening, spokesman Lesiba Moses Kgwele said.
She and the four others were swept away by heavy floods on Tuesday afternoon.
“Van Tonder had not been accounted for after her car and another in which four occupants were rescued were swept [away] by the flooding De Kroon stream near the Brits Mall.”
Kgwele said the provincial disaster management centre had been placed on high alert as the SA Weather Service predicted more heavy rains in the province over the next few days.
“A joint operation centre is to be convened on Wednesday morning to co-ordinate further relief efforts which might be required.”
Relief efforts were activated when 30 houses were flooded and two other houses reportedly collapsed as a result of the flooding in Majakaneng near Mooinooi, Kgwele said.
The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) had been activated to provide social relief in distress grants to the 30 families, he said.
“The municipality has provided temporary shelter, blankets, and tents to the affected families in Majakaneng.”
Emergency services had also been placed on high alert in the area, as the water affairs department opened sluice valves at the Hartbeespoortdam, which was overflowing.
North West premier Thandi Modise urged people who lived downstream of the dam to alert authorities of any threat of flooding.
Kgwele said the transport department and Madibeng local municipality technical services were attempting to redirect excess water. - Sapa