Damages to the N12 between De Rust and Oudtshoorn have forced the road to be closed, along with Meiringspoort, the road between Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves.
These roads, and the road between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay, were also closed due to rock falls, as reported by the Oudtshoorn Courant.
Also read: Heavy rainfall hits Cape Agulhas: Road closures and flood alerts
In the meantime, the Garden Route District Municipality activated its Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at its Head Office in George due to persistent rainfall experienced in parts of the Western, North and Eastern Cape since 1 June.
Other roads in the Garden Route District Municipality were also closed due to heavy rainfall.
These roads include:
- MR00369, Swartberg pass
- TR33/4, Meiringspoort
- R 328 (TR75/2) Oudtshoorn to Cango Caves
- DR1713 road from R328 to Bergoord
- N12 TR33/3 Oudtshoorn – De Rust at Nels River
- DR1660 Klip River Road
- DR1532 Vleesbaai Road
This is according to a recent Transport Infrastructure Damage Report compiled by the Western Cape Government.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) Diving Unit and the Red Cross Air Mercy Service are also currently assisting with rescue operations of people in the region.
As of the publication of this article, 17 people have been rescued.
- 11 People (3 women, 4 men and 4 children) were rescued from Welgeluk in Oudtshoorn.
- 6 People (1 woman and 5 men) were rescued from the Meiringspoort Pass with a helicopter.
- Calitzdorp Hot Springs has been evacuated because of the downflow of the Olifants River.
Also read:
Cape Town adopts water reuse technologies to reduce reliance on rainfall
Picture: Arrive Alive