According to a statement released by the Swartland Municipality, there were immediate and co-ordinated efforts of local authorities; no lives were lost, despite widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
The flooding incident occurred just before dawn when a dam on the Dassenberg property was breached, unleashing a deluge that quickly inundated homes and roads.
The West Coast Disaster Management Centre, Swartland Municipality and emergency services sprang into action, working tirelessly to rescue trapped residents and minimise further damage.
Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said in a statement: “Bredell extends his gratitude to the West Coast Disaster Management Centre and Swartland Municipality for their prompt and effective response to this morning’s flooding incident near Malmesbury.”
Immediate response saves lives
The swift response from local authorities was instrumental in preventing loss of life. Emergency teams, including fire, rescue and law enforcement services, were on the scene within minutes of the flooding, co-ordinating rescue efforts and ensuring that affected residents were safely evacuated.
An incident command post was established at Riverlands Primary School, serving as the central hub for rescue operations and providing a safe haven for those affected by the floods.
“Thanks to the rapid actions of our emergency services, we were able to prevent what could have been a much more tragic outcome,” said Bredell.
He arrived on-site shortly after the flooding began, accompanied by engineers from the Department of Local Government to assess the damage and oversee the ongoing humanitarian response.
Flooding wreaks havoc on infrastructure
The breach in the dam caused widespread flooding in Riverlands and Dassenberg, with homes, roads and infrastructure bearing the brunt of the damage. Initial reports from the Swartland Municipality indicate that while the material damage is extensive, the human toll has been low, with no fatalities or missing persons reported.
The statement further mentioned that the timing of the flood, occurring in the early hours of the morning, presented a significant challenge to rescue operations. Efforts to reach affected areas were hampered by darkness, delaying the full scale of the response until sunrise.
However, as soon as daylight broke, emergency teams were able to deploy to the worst-hit areas, working tirelessly to mitigate further damage and ensure the safety of residents.
Community braces for more rainfall
As the immediate crisis subsides, attention is now turning to the days ahead, with the South African Weather Service predicting more rainfall over the coming weekend.
Minister Bredell has urged residents to remain vigilant and to follow the instructions of emergency officials. “We ask that community members remain calm and heed the guidance of our teams on the ground as we brace for potentially more challenging conditions,” he said.
The cause of the dam breach is currently under investigation, with engineers assessing the structural integrity of the remaining sections to prevent any further incidents.
In the meantime, local authorities are focused on restoring essential services, ensuring that those affected have access to clean water and other basic necessities.
