Dam wall collapses near Malmesbury

A farm dam’s wall has broken near Malmesbury, on Thursday morning, which has led to extensive flooding downstream in the communities of Riverlands and Dassenberg.

According to authorities, they managed to save 15 people. The Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, said initial reports indicate that the flooding was caused when the dam wall, of the middle of three farm dams, failed.

‘’Injured persons have been assessed for near- drowning and transported to nearby hospitals for observation and further treatment. At this moment, no fatalities or missing persons have been reported. We are currently aware of 50 households that suffered damages caused by the flooding.’’

COURTESY: Facebook - Gift of the Givers

He explained that this caused a sudden inflow into the dam situated below, causing this dam wall to also fail, resulting in significant flooding.

The third dam, situated upstream of the two failed dams, says Bredell, is currently being inspected by engineers to assess its safety.

‘’Engineers from the Department of Local Government are conducting an on-site assessment on the extent of damages to infrastructure and various stakeholders are working to deliver humanitarian aid efforts. The priority is to ensure that all affected individuals have access to clean water and basic services throughout the weekend.’’

‘’ “We urge residents to stay safe and remain vigilant, as the South African Weather Service has predicted more rainfall for the coming weekend. We ask that community members remain calm and follow the instructions of emergency officials on the ground,” said Bredell.

An Incident Command Post has been established at Riverland Primary School, from where all rescue, recovery and humanitarian aid is being coordinated.

Huminatarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, also assisted.

‘’It was distressing to see the total destruction of roads washed away, homes destroyed and communities displaced following the collapse of two retention dams above Riverlands Dam in the Swartland Municipality District, Cape Town,’’ said Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers Public relations manager.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Swartland SPCA were also on the ground, actively seeking out survivors, displaced animals and those at further risk of harm.

‘’We are working closely with the Disaster Risk Management Centre and we have an Inspector stationed at the Joint Operations Centre to facilitate a co-ordinated emergency response to the areas of greatest need. The flooded areas can only be accessed on foot and we’re hard at work searching for the survivors amongst those whose lives have sadly already been lost to the water. Discussions with community leaders suggest that hundreds of farm animals and horses are missing and that all animal feed has been washed away,’’ said Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

‘’There is a desperate need to help this community, please consider a donation in support of our rescue efforts or a donation of Oathay, fresh fruit or vegetables,’’ she added.

COURTESY: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Done By: Mitchum George