MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: The ongoing territorial rains across the North West continues to badly affect different areas across the province with local municipalities in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality including Mahikeng, Ramotshere Moiloa and Tswaing in dire need of immediate intervention.
Khunotswana and Matsatseng were among the most badly affected areas after houses of community members were submerged in water. The situation has affected many of the residents after a mass evacuation, which saw them having to find places to live in family members’ homes as well as identified shelters within their areas.
In an intervention to mitigate the situation the Executive Mayor, Cllr Khumalo Molefe visited the affected areas and said that: “this recurrence highlights the urgent need for a long-term intervention strategy to prevent continued devastation”. He further highlighted that even though the method of water drainage using a fire truck has been implemented and showed some effectiveness, pressure is insufficient due to the steep terrain in the affected areas.
“Most victims have temporarily relocated to stay with friends and relatives, we are saddened that critical infrastructure such as clinics, schools, and crèches have also been affected by flooding. Fortunately, no drownings, injuries, or deaths have been reported since the onset of the rains. However, there have been reports of mosquito bites and skin irritations, with some victims seeking treatment at local clinics,” said the Executive Mayor.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has further committed to deploy extra resources such as TLBs, additional fire trucks and honeysucker trucks to speed up water removal.
“The situation calls for swift and coordinated action to provide relief and to establish long-term mitigation solutions to prevent future recurrences, I also commend all stakeholders who speedily responded to this weekend deluge,” concluded Molefe during an oversight visit in Khunotswana.
