ZIWAPHI • VOL 3 NO 24 • 4 - 17 DECEMBER  2009

MBOMBELA

Mpumalanga’s MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Norman Mokoena, will meet with mayors and disaster management teams from various municipalities after heavy rains fell in the area recently.

They will discuss their preparation for possible floods on Thursday (yesterday).

“Weather predictions have indicated that the province will be receiving some heavy rains for the next week as well,” said Mokoena, adding that many dams in the province were already 100% full.

“We urge people living in low areas and next to flood lines to be extremely cautious. They must move away from river banks and avoid crossing flooding rivers and overflowing bridges,” he said.

Rivers of concern include the Inkomati River at the Swaziland border and Komatipoort, Crocodile River at Malalane, Kaapriver in Kaapmuiden, Sabie River at Sabie, Steenkoolspruit in Kriel and the entire Olifants  River.

Municipalities that have been placed on alert include Steve Tshwete, Dr JS Moroka, Emalahleni, Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, Mbombela, Govan Mbeki and Pixely Ka Seme.

Dams that are already 100% full include Inyaka, Maguga, Nooitgedacht and Vygeboom in the Inkomati catchment area, and Bronkhorstpruit, Buffelskloof, Klaserie, Loskop, Rust De Winter and Tonteldoos dams in the Olifants catchment area.

[The outcome of the meeting was not known at the time of going to press.}

Mpumalanga flood warning