Garden Route | Karoo Storms: Current flooding throughout the Garden Route

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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Weather conditions across the district have improved today, with clearer skies and access restored to many affected areas.

The main priority today is to assess isolated communities and identify where humanitarian support is needed.

With assistance from the EMS emergency helicopter, reconnaissance flights will take place over cut-off areas, starting in Leeu-Gamka West and Calitzdorp, before moving to De Vlugt and parts of the Langkloof.

Some areas in the Langkloof, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna are still without electricity. Eskom has been requested to prioritise power restoration, especially where electricity is needed for water pumping and sanitation services.

Rescue teams will also continue efforts to reach a group of scholars stranded below the Raubenheimer Dam at the Cango Mountain Resort. Contact was made with the group last night, and humanitarian assistance will be provided today.

Efforts for the rest of the day will mainly focus on reopening key provincial roads. National routes have largely reopened, while restoring the internal road network remains a priority.

VIDEO: Drone footage by Gerrick Matthee

Areas inaccessible

The following areas remain inaccessible due to flooding and infrastructure damage:

Oudtshoorn Municipal area

Middelplaas
Volmoed
Cango Bergoord
De Oude Meul
Moeras River
Proefplaas
Meiringspoort

Kannaland Municipal area

Paardebont (close to Van Wyksdorp)
Middelpad at Calitzdorp Hot Springs
Gamka-Oos

George Municipal area

Mount Hope (past Zebra)
De Vlugt
Kammanassie

Bitou Municipal area

SNK & Fisantehoek
Wittedrift

Humanitarian assistance has been requested from Gift of the Givers, with five-day food parcels being prepared for delivery. Air support may be utilised where possible.