Kaaiman’s River Pass on verge of collapse

By Nadia Samie

Disaster management officials are waiting for what seems to be the inevitable collapse of the Kaaiman’s River Pass between George and Wilderness.

Retailers driving from Cape Town woke up to the reality this morning that they would have to drive an extra 400 kilometres to reach the holiday town of Knysna.

The situation has reached dangerous proportions, with a section of the road sliding towards the sea at a rate of 2mm per hour. Traffic officials say that the N2 leading to the Kaaiman’s Pass on both sides has been closed.

Gerhard Otto, Disaster Manager for the Eden Municipality, says that they are waiting for the collapse to happen so that they can establish what will remain of the pass.

When the collapse occurs, Independent Online reports, it will take with it a section of the Outeniqua Tjoe-Choo railway line, a holiday home and a flat situated below the pass. Transnet has already cut the lines below the expected collapse area. Floodlights have been installed to minimise the possibility of danger. Experts say that when the collapse takes place, it will be catastrophic.

Pic: www.meljo-tours.com