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South Africa: Rains Wash Away Roads
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Cape Argus (Cape Town)
8 July 2008
Posted to the web 9 July 2008
Lindsay Dentlinger
Cape Town
At least 160 people are trapped on farms in the Cederberg near Citrusdal after roads caved in and bridges were washed away as a result of heavy rains and the flooding of the Olifants River and its tributaries.
With the opening of all the sluices at the Clanwilliam Dam, water is now also gushing towards Vredendal, causing road closures to the area from the N7.
But despite the unrelenting rain in the area, engineers worked through the night to salvage a portion of the N7 about 5km north of Citrusdal and prevent its collapse as a result of a farm dam breaking its a retention wall in front of culvert under the N7 on Saturday night.
Twelve farmworkers had to be evacuated the following day.
Although the road is still intact, water has eroded its foundation.
On Monday, construction workers were clearing the culvert beneath the road.
The roadworks have led to only one lane open to traffic, causing a 10-minute delay.
Construction on the road is set to continue for at least another two days.
With water flow now strong across the N7 towards the coast, provincial traffic principal Ivan Arendse said the department had banned the travel of abnormal loads (above 100 tons) on the N7 between Citrusdal and Klawer until this portion of road had been strengthened.
On the other side of Citrusdal, a construction team also worked through the night to repair a gaping 25 metre long break in the road at the Bo Rivier leading to Keerom.
With the collapse of the road, irrigation pipes to orchards in the area had also been damaged.
At least 80 people from Cape Town are stranded on a farm on the other side, having travelled to a church service there over the weekend.
Stephen du Plessis of Stephen du Plessis Construction said 7 900 cubic metres of sand will be used to fill up the hole in the Keerom road.
By this evening it should be in a state to carry light vehicles.
Another 80 people are also cut off from Citrusdal after the bridge over the Boontjiesrivier, washed away on Saturday night.
It is here that a 24-year-old farmworker drowned after trying to cross the river, it is believed, to visit his girlfriend.
His body was recovered caught in debris on Sunday, about 100 metres from where it is thought he tried to cross.
Citrusdal police have identified him as Esau Loff.
Last year this bridge was also washed away by floodwaters and was still in a state of repair when it was washed away again on Saturday.
Head of Disaster Management for the Cederberg Municipality Dale Morgan said there was now no other way, other than by air, to reach people stranded on the other side of the Boontjiesrivier in the Vlakrug area.
Arrangements were being made to have food parcels delivered to them.
On Monday night police were also mulling the closure of the road leading to Warmbaths as a result of heavy water flow across the road.
The road can not be travelled further than where the tar portion ends, cutting off at least five farms in the Geelhoutkloof.
Orchards in the area are waterlogged and with farms now cut off from Citrusdal, farmers are unable to bring their harvests into town from where they are exported.
It is now harvest season in the area.
The Clanwilliam Dam is now 100 percent full after being around 20 percent full just a week ago.
The Allandale road between Citrusdal and Ceres is also closed to traffic, cutting off at least four farms.
Citrusdal Police commander Solly Barend said last year's floods had also cut off several roads in the area, and this year's flooding was not any worse.
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Morgan said despite the flood damage, "everything was under control".
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