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Ladysmith remains partially submerged, with approximately 150 people (including children) evacuated.
As a result of the current situation in Ladysmith and its surroundings, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reports that the Ladysmith K9 Search and Rescue Unit has responded to numerous calls for assistance in low lying areas along the Klipriver.
Additionally, Pietermaritzburg Search and Rescue members were also tasked with assisting and evacuating stranded community members throughout the evening and into the early afternoon of Tuesday, 17 January 2022.
As the saga in Ladysmith continues, with extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, the Alfred Duma Municipality has been questioned about the operation of the Ladysmith’s dam’s sluice gates. Invaluable tools intended to assist in preventing flooding in the town and surrounding areas.
In response to the situation, the Alfred Duma Municipality’s Office of the Mayor explains that it is evident that there was a large influx of water entering the Klip River, causing it to flow at extremely high levels.
When it comes to the initial safety measures, Cllr Zama Sibisi, mayor of the Alfred Duma Municipality, explains that the Qedusizi Flood Attenuation Dam was constructed in October 1998 by the then-current Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The dam’s purpose was to reduce the risk of flooding in Ladysmith’s low-lying areas.
Cllr Sibisi, on the other hand, points out that the Qedusizi Dam only has attenuation capabilities.
“The 32m high dam is designed in such a way that the flood water from the Klip River and Sand Spruit will be stored temporarily.” Thereafter, the impounded water will be released at a controlled rate taking into account the safe carrying capacity of the Klip River through Ladysmith. This “while at the same time taking due cognisance of the effects of flooding from the intermediate catchment, mainly the Flagstone Spruit.”
The Mayor’s Office emphasises that the dam’s flood release rate is limited to approximately 450 m3 s. “This is achieved by the provision of the two uncontrolled flood opening, each 3.2m high and 5m wide, through the dam at riverbed level.”
Furthermore, Cllr Sibisi notes that when the dam was constructed, the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), as the custodian of the Qedusizi Dam, entered into an agreement with the then Emnambithi/Ladysmith Council. Whereby the powers of control, operations, admirations and maintenance of the Ladysmith Flood Control Scheme was delegated to the latter and Council to implement the roles and responsibilities stipulated on the MANUAL.
Taking this into account, the mayor explains that the Tide Flex Valves installed at various strategic points along the Klip River have proven to be effective, as there appears to be no water backflow from the river.
The flooding of the streets in the CBD’s lower-lying areas, namely Forbes Street, Lyell Street, Alexandra Street, Queen Street, King Street, Princess Street, and Settlers Drive, was caused by stormwater outlets being unable to discharge into the Klip River due to the extreme high river levels.
“The current Infrastructure is functional and maintained, however, it be noting that Ladysmith has experienced a Natural Disaster with excessive volumes of water flowing within the River channel, thus not allowing the collection of stormwater and groundwater to be channeled and discharged into the Klip River.”
Cllr Sibisi
Once the river level drops, the stormwater will apparently self-drain into the Klip River.
The local government entity confirms that a detailed report will be compiled once the river has receded and the damage has been determined.
Moreover, Cllr Sibis stresses, “I can confirm and would want to reassure the public and business associates that the Qedusizi Dam has not burst and it has not collapsed either.”
“In times of difficulty we all need to focus on the challenge we are all experiencing and suffering from, while applying and engaging systematically and how do we move forward after the storm being a scenario which is temporary,” concluded Cllr Sibisi.
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