Floods: national disaster; warnings issued

In a media release issued by DA spokesperson on disaster management, Lindy Wilson on Sunday, the party welcomed the classification of the floods situation in the province as a national disaster.

- Barry Viljoen

"At this stage the unfolding disaster has been 'classified' as a national disaster, but has not (yet) been 'declared' as a national disaster. Classification has the effect of formally designating the national executive as the coordinating authority and strengthens intergovernmental cooperation in responding to this calamity," Wilson said.

Earlier last week, the Department of Water and Sanitation issued an urgent public notice regarding the critically high-water levels at multiple dams across Limpopo.

CRITICAL LEVELS REQUIRE PUBLIC VIGILANCE

Verified measurements as of January 14 indicate that the levels of Dap Naudé (100.00%), Ebenezer (103.04%), Magoebaskloof (105.22%), Merensky (120.59%), and Tzaneen dams (108.64%), among others, were at or near maximum capacity, with some releasing water. The Ebenezer and Dap Naudé dams are major sources of raw water to the city of Polokwane.

PUBLIC SAFETY PARAMOUNT