Following last week’s dam wall collapse and flooding, the Swartland Municipality has been working to repair the damaged pipelines.
As restoration is under way, residents of the Riverlands community may be without running water for up to eight weeks, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Riverlands dam wall breaks in Cape Town, flooding Dassenberg
Ensuring access to portable water sources has been a priority and water tankers have been dispatched to relevant areas.
Swartland Mayor Harold Cleophas elaborated that the flooding damaged critical infrastructure and as such, several pipelines need to be completely replaced.
He further estimated that the necessary repairs could be completed within eight weeks, should no unforeseen delays arise.
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Water trucks will remain available until repairs have been completed.
The area’s clinic and primary school buildings were affected by the flooding.
Fortunately, the clinic is expected to reopen shortly. Assessments are, however, still being conducted at the local primary school.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, confirmed that the Riverlands Primary School remains closed.
A decision on whether to reopen the school will take place on 14 August.
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Chatsworth Primary School and Malmesbury High School have been closed due to water shortages.
The Swartland Mayor stated that there are currently 94 people being housed in community centres and local churches. These people are also receiving food, clothes and toiletries, reports News24.
Ali Sablay, operations manager for Gift of the Givers, confirmed that their team had been on the ground within four hours of the disaster occurring.
The organisation is supplying humanitarian essentials such as hot meals and water.
Further donations include firewood and blankets.
Cleophas commented that the Swartland Municipality intends to fully cooperate in order to ensure the reintegration of displaced residents into the community.
Last Thursday, the third dam, of a total four dams, also collapsed, causing damage to the first two dams.
Preventative measures have since been enacted to ensure that the fourth dam does not pose any threat.
‘We realise that this is a difficult and almost unimaginable situation for the residents affected. We ask for everyone’s cooperation and patience. We are working as hard as we possibly can, as fast as we possibly can, but unfortunately things will take time,’ Cleophas concluded.
Also read:
Relief and rescue efforts continue in Riverlands after dam wall breaks
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA