The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Mpumalanga has activated its Disaster Management team and stakeholders to be on full alert to deal with any disasters that might occur during this festive season.

The department has instructed all municipalities through their districts to be on full alert and on standby. All municipalities have prepared detailed preparedness plans and will ensure that all relevant officials will be on standby through the holidays. All relevant sector departments and agencies have also been engaged to ensure their preparedness.

The province is expected to experience heavy rains, flash floods and thunderstorms that could result in an increase of dam and river levels thus making small streams and rivers very dangerous. Communities are advised to be extremely cautious at all times and they must avoid crossing full rivers and over flowing bridges.

Road users are urged to drive carefully when it is raining because roads will be wet and rocks might fall in some areas and they must not drive over overflowing roads and water pools that obstruct their view of the road.

Parents are urged to advice children not to play next to streams and rivers. The department requests all communities to take precautions especially those who are staying in low-lying areas. The provincial Disaster Management Centre will continuously monitor the situation daily basis in all municipalities. The department appeals to all residents to work together with government to prevent disasters and reduce risks during this festive season and beyond.