Eden District to be declared as a Local Disaster Area | Western Cape Government

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Eden District to be declared as a Local Disaster Area

16 January 2008
MEDIA STATEMENT- MEC FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING

January 16, 2008

THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE PROVINCE TO DECLARE THE EDEN DISTRICT AS A LOCAL DISASTER.

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has today supported the request of the Eden District Municipality to declare the Eden District as a local disaster, and that this request be forwarded to the National Disaster Management Centre for the disaster classification process.

This happened after the MEC for local Government and Housing, Qubudile Richard Dyantyi informed the cabinet on the verified losses following the recent floods which occurred on 19-24 November 2007 that affected the Cape Winelands, Overberg, Eden and Central Karoo District Municipal areas.

During the ad-hoc flood committee meeting held on the 13 December 2007, the
Eden District Municipality indicated that during a Mayoral Committee meeting of the Eden District Municipality, which was held on 12 December 2007, the District Municipality decided to declare the Eden District as a local disaster, based on the extent of damage.

The floods which occurred between 19-24 November 2007 in Overberg, Cape Winelands, Eden and Central Karoo District Municipal areas resulted from a cut-off low weather system which severely and negatively affected, specifically the Southern Cape region.

This extreme weather event resulted in severe damage and losses to dams, municipal infrastructure, formal and informal housing, roads as well as agricultural land, equipment and crops.

The Eden District Municipality was once again the hardest hit, almost a repeat of the August 2006 floods where this district also sustained the worst impacts. It is evident that the extent and impact of the floods in terms of losses, tripled compared to the August 2006 floods. This is confirmed by the rainfall intensity where 512mm rain was measured in George over a 24hour period and also the dam levels in this area, exceeded 100% in most instances.

The damage assessments done by Municipalities and Departments confirmed that severe damages were evident to road networks, critical municipal infrastructure, private and public property, the environment as well as agricultural damages. The adequate and efficient recovery process is essential in ensuring mobility and accessibility specifically in the Eden District.

DISTRICT

LOSSES

Overberg District Municipality

R56 085 544.00

Cape Winelands District Municipality

R54 448 048.00

Central Karoo District Municipality

R 2 000 000.00

Eden District Muniipality

R1 068 903 170.24

TOTAL

R1 181 436 762.24

Total verified losses taking into account the flooding which occurred in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and Eden Districts, as reported by the various Municipalities, as well as Provincial and National Departments including parastatals amounts to R1 181 436 762.24 of which a budgetary shortfall of R1067 477 006.84 is evident.

It should be noted that, this total does not include the damage caused by the December floods which occurred in Laingsburg. The process of damage verification for this area is still underway.

Media Enquiries: 

Vusi Tshose
Media Liaison Officer/ Spokesperson
MEC: QR Dyantyi -Local Government and Housing

Tel: 021 483 4466
Fax: 021 483 4953
Cell: 083 581 5265

Email: vtshose@pgwc.gov.za