OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Electricity supply to the Paardebond and Moerasrivier areas has been successfully restored following extensive repair work carried out by the Oudtshoorn Municipality after recent severe storm conditions caused widespread damage.
Municipal teams worked throughout the day to repair storm-related faults and restore power to affected residents.
According to the Municipal Manager, Mkhululi Yekani, Eskom is currently attending to power outages affecting the Valkenkraal and Meyersrus areas.
Meanwhile, municipal electrical teams remain on site in the Matjiesrivier and Kombuisplaas areas, where repair work is still underway. Technicians are continuing efforts to safely restore the electricity supply as quickly as possible.
Roads remain closed
Several roads remain closed due to unsafe conditions and damage caused by heavy rainfall. These include Rooiheuwel Road and the road leading to the Cango Caves.
Motorists and residents are advised to avoid these areas and use alternative routes where possible. Authorities have also warned the public not to attempt crossing flooded roads or low-water bridges.
Within Oudtshoorn town, the low-water crossings at Victoria Street and Albert Street remain closed due to high water levels.
The situation is being monitored continuously, and the crossings will reopen only once they are declared safe.
Water interruptions and supply challenges
The Volmoed area is currently experiencing water interruptions following a burst water pipe. Repair teams are working to fix the damage, while water tankers are being deployed to supply residents until normal water services can be restored.
Yekani confirmed ongoing challenges with supplying sufficient water from the Koos Raubenheimer Dam into the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme (KKRWSS).
Teams are investigating a possible blockage or restriction in the system that is limiting water flow.
Efforts to resolve the issue are being hampered by damage to large sections of the municipality’s SCADA communication system caused by recent storms and flooding.
The failure of this monitoring system limits real-time oversight of the water network, making fault detection and system management more difficult.
Municipal teams are conducting step-by-step inspections of the entire system and implementing alternative supply arrangements where possible. Residents with urgent water needs are advised to contact the municipal control room so that water delivery via tanker can be arranged where feasible.
Further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available.
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