Limpopo underwater roads washed away, villages cut off, and schools closed as heavy rains continue. Picture Credit: Facebook
By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
Limpopo — Dams are overflowing, while some bridges and roads have been washed away and several schools are left with leaking roads, all due to the recent heavy rains in Limpopo. It has been raining heavily throughout the province since last week Friday, which has resulted in temporary flooding in certain parts of Vhembe and Mopani districts.
Earlier this year, Vhembe and Mopani districts were negatively affected by floods, which left scores homeless, roads and bridges damaged, also claiming lives of some residents. Currently some of the villages in both districts have been cut-off from the recent of the province due to washed bridges and inaccessible roads.
“Since Friday, I have not been able to go to work due to the heavy rains. Our local bridge is overflowing and there is no alternative which we can use and as results, we are stuck in our little island and we just hope that we won’t run out of essentials,” said Vincent Munyai, who is a petrol attendant at one of the filling stations in Thohoyandou.
Munyai resides in Tswinga village, outside of Thohoyandou, one of the villages which have negatively been affected by the floods. The low-lying bridge which connects Tswinga with other Vhembe villages was first reported last week that it is overflowing, making it impossible for residents to cross.
In January this year, the same Tswinga village claimed the lives of two people, who attempted to cross the overflowing bridge. But unfortunately their van was overpowered by the flowing water currents which lead to their death.
“It is too risky to cross the overflowing bridge and for that I won’t risk my life, I would rather lose my job than to put my life at risk. I am just happy that my supervisors understand the situation which I am faced with at the moment,” said Munyai.
Munyai told Timeless News that he is more worried about residents who might need emergency medical services which cannot be rendered at their local clinic.
“The biggest challenge and worry is that if one gets sick and need to be taken to the hospital immediately, they are bound to die because it will be impossible for them to be taken to their nearest hospital,” said Munyai.
In Tshikunda village, outside of Sibasa, a main bridge which connects the village with other areas was washed away, making the village inaccessible. The same bridge was first reported to have been on the verge of collapse during the floods in January but nothing was done to address the situation.
“The early signs were there, as the bridge had shown cracks in the recent years and in January this year it deteriorated and collapsed in some parts but nothing was done by our government to address the situation and now it has fully collapsed and still no one from the authorities is saying anything,” said James Mafhungo, a resident of Tshikunda village.
But while the heavy rains have caused damages in the province, in some parts of the province residents are joyful that they might finally receive running water supply as the dams are full. For the first time in 26-years, the Letaba Dam in Mopani which has been dry for decades is finally full with water, which has come as a surprise to local residents.
When the dam was built years back, it was aimed at easing water woes to the residents of Giyani and surrounding villages but somehow it became dry after few years.
“Hopefully we will finally receive running water as we can all see that the dam is having water at the moment. So there won’t be any excuses from the authorities that the reason why we are not getting water is because the dam is dry. Though the rain is causing havoc in our communities, we are just grateful that we will finally receive water,” said Faith Maluleke.
Maluleke resides in water starved community of Bode village, outside of Giyani. She was among the residents who flock to Letaba Dam on Sunday afternoon to witness the overflowing water at the facility.-Something which they have never seen in the last two decades.
“This is history. The last time that this dam had water was in the year 2000 after the heavy rains. We are just hopeful that this is the end of our sufferings. We have suffered enough without running water at our disposal,” said Maluleke.
Schools to remain closed
As it continues to pour down, the Limpopo Department of Education has decided to temporarily close down schools in all the floods affected districts for a period of two days.
“To safeguard the lives of learners and educators, the department has taken a decisive step to suspend schooling for two days, Monday, 16 March and Tuesday, 17 March in all affected areas,” said Mike Maringa, the departmental spokesperson.
Maringa said that the department has also received reports of leaking roofs and water damage in school buildings, which pose a directed safety risk.
“Furthermore, the department has noted with deep concern a spate of burglaries at schools during this disruptive period, with criminals targeting nutrition programme stockpiles and electronic equipment,” said Maringa.
Attempts to get comments from the Provincial Department of Health on what are some of the measures they have put in place in case of medical emergency in villages affected by floods have failed.
