Update Video
GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Weather warnings have been downgraded from Level 8 to Level 6. Areas of particular concern remain the Knysna, Bitou and George (Langkloof) areas.
During the night, the Stormdrift and Kammanassie Dams began spilling, adding to the water flowing from the Groot River through to Meiringspoort.
These flows continue past Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp Hot Springs before eventually reaching Gouritz where it will flow into the sea.
Due to the increased water flow, Robinson Pass from the Oudtshoorn side has been closed.
Meiringspoort also remains closed, with current assessments indicating that it may remain inaccessible for an extended period due to the extent of the damage recorded.
In Bitou, water supply challenges are being experienced after pumps at water abstraction points were damaged. Some communities have also been cut off from communication, and interventions are underway to address these challenges.
The N9 remains closed, as well as the road between Avontuur and Haarlem, and the Swartberg Pass.
VIDEO: Jeff Ayliffe and Kristy Kolberg visited Victoria Bay this morning to see the aftermath of last night's swell. Unfortunately they could not access the residential area due to high foam levels. According to one of the locals it would appear that there is no serious damage to the houses.
Areas cut-off
The SANDF, together with the Oudtshoorn Fire Department and SAPS divers, are making every effort to evacuate residents from Bergoord safely.
EMS Metro and a Medical Rescue Helicopter are being deployed to assess areas and possibly deliver food parcels to areas where access is cut off.
Oudtshoorn Municipal area
- Middelplaas
- Volmoed
- Cango Bergoord
- De Oude Meul
- Moeras River
- Proefplaas
Kannaland Municipal area
- Paardebont (close to Van Wyksdorp)
George Municipal area
- Mount Hope (past Zebra)
Bitou Municipal area
- SNK & Fisantehoek
The Nqweba dam in Robert Sobukwe Town (previously Graaff-Reinet) has been overflowing since yesterday, 6 May. 105,5 mm rain has been measured so far and it is still raining.
Photo: Gerrie Germeshuizen
Shelter provided
Relief and shelter efforts are continuing across the district with around 450 people who remain affected by severe weather conditions. Water levels are expected to subside, with most runoff anticipated later this afternoon.
Bitou Municipal area
- Kranshoek: 58
- Wittedrift: 20
- Piesang Valley: TBC
Knysna Municipal area
- Hornlee Community Hall: 40
- Masefundi Library: 200
- Loerie Park: 30
- Sedgefield: 10
- Smutsville: 10
- Chris Hani: 5
- Methodist Church: TBC
Oudtshoorn Municipal area
- Toekomsrus, Welgeluk, GG Kamp, Black Joint: 54
- De Rust: 25
VIDEO: Footage received today, 7 May. A view of the bridge between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, where the swollen Olifants River pushed large amounts of debris against and over the structure. Video: GRDM
Roads closed
The following roads are listed in the Western Cape Government road closure update for the Garden Route District (7 May @ 06:00):
- TR2/12 – Grootrivier Pass (Nature’s Valley area)
- TR75/2 – Oudtshoorn to Cango Caves (Oudtshoorn area)
- TR33/4 – Meiringspoort (Oudtshoorn area)
- DR1707 – Middelplaas (Oudtshoorn area)
- MR369 – Swartberg Pass (Oudtshoorn area)
- DR1709 – Groenfontein (Calitzdorp area)
- MR401 – Huisrivier Pass (Calitzdorp area) Open
- MR309 – Seweweekspoort (Ladismith area)
- MR390 – Kruisvallei (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- MR355 – Seven Passes (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- DR1615 – Swart River (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- MR346 – Buffels Bay (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- MR359 – Barrington (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- MR394 – Keurboomstrand (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay area)
- TR44/1 – R62 Avontuur to Eastern Cape boundary (Langkloof area)
- DR1645 – Waboomskraal (Langkloof area)
- DR1640 – Montagu Pass (Langkloof area)
- DR1602 – Kleinplaas (George area)
- DR1633 – Jonkersberg (George area)
MR401 – Uniondale Poort and town (Uniondale area) - MR399 – Avontuur (Uniondale area)
- TR01/2 – Herold to Noll (Langkloof area)
- DR1604 – Haelkraal (Mossel Bay area)
- DR1587 – Donaldshoogte/Botlierskop (Mossel Bay area)
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