Access to Citrusdal has once again been completely severed due to severe weather conditions, one year after flooding washed away an access road to the town located about 160 kilometres north of Cape Town.
According to Ruben Richards, the Mayor of the Cederberg Municipality, another 35-metre stretch of road has ‘just disappeared’.
Also read: LIVE: Relentless weather wreaks havoc across the Western Cape
He adds that delivering supplies to the town has proven challenging and teams are exploring the option of using helicopters or boats to access the area.
‘Everybody’s on alert; we do what we can under the circumstances,’ he told Cape Talk.
Department of Transport spokesperson Ntobeko Mbingeleli says the extent of the damage and required repair work can not be determined yet.
‘Due to levels of overflow at this point, we’re unable to determine the extent of the damage and repair work required,’ he told News24. The department issued a notice that the road is closed until further notice and that motorists should make use of alternative routes in the interim.
On Facebook, the Cederberg Local Municipality announced that the entrance to Citrusdal is ‘completely closed off, no entrance or exit for anyone’.
The following roads are closed:
- MR530 Bergrivierstasie
- MR539, N7 to Algeria
- DR1154, Sonkwas drif
- Franschoek Pass
- DR2182 Algeria pad
- OP7608, Moravia
- OP7626, Klipbank
- OP7763, Broodkraal
- OP8099 Wuppertal to Eselbank
- Boschkloof Road
- R363 Capel – Vredendal Road
- R363, Low water bridge
- R363 Sishenbrug
- The Old Cape Road at Algeria Bridge
- Although the MR310 Citrusdal – Elandskloof is closed, it is being monitored and the situation could change
A total of 208 people are currently housed at the Oranjeville sport grounds while 14 families are housed in the Eendrag hall.
Also read:
Western Cape considers state of disaster amid severe weather