Our highly committed Editor, Quinton Boucher took to Newcastle’s streets this past weekend, snapping up the intense damage caused by the flooding.
Newcastillians joined hands with emergency workers to assist one another as the raging waters consumed businesses, homes, parks and roads.
With the heavy rains beginning on Thursday evening, 9 February 2023, the Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) started preparations alongside the Newcastle Police, Newcastle Municipality’s Community Services, local security companies and Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team. This involved placing sandbags along the riverbanks and near homes in Paradise (an area prone to flooding).
However, by Friday night, 10 February 2023, further rainfall saw the riverbanks burst. This noted large parts of the residential area in Paradise flooded. Such was the extent of the damage, that the Newcastle CPF, Newcastle SAPS, Newcastle Search and Rescue, and Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team had to assist in rescuing people who found themselves stuck in their homes.
Talha Randeree from the CPF stated that the SAPS and CPF assisted over 80 stranded people this past weekend.
Furthermore, Imran Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team commended those who relentlessly worked to assist the community, sacrificing their sleep and personal safety to help those in need. “Everyone worked non-stop to put preparations into place.”
On Saturday morning, 11 February 2023, a rescue mission to get approximately 50 people stuck in their flooded homes out along Sutherland Street in Paradise, had numerous people working closely together. Once safe, the dozens of people were set up at Fairleigh Community Hall until the waters subside at their homes.
In the CBD, businesses and community members helped each other as a number of business premises were flooded along Kirkland, Church and Sutherland streets, to mention but a few.
Additionally, the following areas and streets were also impacted by the inclement weather:
- Heavy pooling at Hardwick Street and Albert Wessels Drive.
- The Amcor Dam Bridge was severely flooded.
- Rooibok Street was flooded, as was Murchison Street at Montague Road.
- Asnika Crescent
- Suyraville
- Scott Street
- Paradise C Ground
- Nagtegaal Street
- Thomas Street
- Jenkyn Street
- Newcastle Taxi Rank was also left underwater, leaving taxi drivers and commuters making alternative plans to ensure public transport continued.
Following the persistent rains and inclement weather conditions, KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Bongi Sithole Moloi confirmed that over 70 families were evacuated from their homes in Newcastle.
She added, “Disaster management teams have been deployed to conduct a rapid assessment in order to determine the magnitude and extent of damages and mobilize the resources required. The provincial departments of Human Settlements, Social Developments and Department of Transport have also been activated to initiate the process of providing the required interventions. At this stage, there are no fatalities or injuries.”
With the continuous rainfall impacting not only Newcastle but its neighbouring towns, the Amajuba District Municipality Mayor, Cllr Ndabuko Zulu added, “The weather forecast gives an indication that these rains might continue until late next week. We have already seen many rivers and streams overflowing and this causes a threat to residents who reside closer to these rivers and streams. We call on all residents to be vigilant and call for help if they are in danger. At no stage should our people attempt to cross overflowing rivers either by foot or driving.”
In case of emergencies, the Amajuba District Municipality provided the following numbers to contact:
- Mshengu Otty Tshabalala 083 6041 904
- Mzuwandile Xaba 071 7626 351
- Muzi Zikalala 064 6745 764
- Thulani Zwane (Supporting Newcastle Local Municipality) 076 8564 445
- Thabo Mndebele (Supporting Emadlangeni Local Municipality) 083 2303 643
- Bafana Nkosi (Supporting Dannhauser Local Municipality) 082 7775 880
Following the recent downpours and flooding, what are your thoughts on the above-mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
I am not in Newcastle but my thoughts and prayers are with you all