Newcastillians are on high alert as torrential rains sweep through the region, prompting widespread road closures.
As of Thursday morning, 19 February 2025, the relentless downpour has necessitated the closure of key routes including Umfolozi Road, also known as Amcor Road, as well as Jenkyn Street to Sutherland Street, Finnemore to Sutherland Street, and Lincoln to Sutherland Street.
The Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) has taken to social media to issue critical flood warnings, urging motorists to navigate with utmost care and avoid areas with standing water. Emphasising safety, the CPF calls on residents to strictly observe road closures and heed the guidance of Traffic, Fire, and Disaster Management officials.
In preparation for potential flood scenarios, the CPF advises those in high-risk zones to proactively secure sandbags and prepare an emergency “Go to Bag” filled with valuables and essentials, ready for immediate evacuation if needed.
Furthermore, as reported by Newcastillian News, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has escalated warnings to an Orange Level 5 for Newcastle and its environs on this day, forecasting significant rainfall that could accumulate up to 100mm in the northern parts of the province, encompassing Newcastle.
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Given these urgent weather advisories, we invite your insights and reflections on this unfolding situation. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
2 Responses
This seems to be an annual problem yet nothing seems to be getting done regarding the clean up of the river. Reeds and trees are left to over grow and constrict the flow of the water. It’s time for the municipality to start doing their jobs. What purpose does the amcor dam wall serve these days? We should consider removing it entirely so that it doesn’t force the water back up towards the low end of the cbd.
For years now we sitting with the same problem, Whilst the Roads Department getting salaries every month claiming to do their job.