Northern Cape to Seek National Funding to Repair Roads Damaged by Weekend Flooding
- Heavy weekend rainfall in the Northern Cape forced temporary road closures in Kuruman after a key crossing overflowed
- MEC Bentley Vass confirmed technical teams are on the ground assessing damage as the province seeks national financial backing
- The Roads and Public Works Department is coordinating with two national departments to manage relief efforts and protect communities
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Source: Getty Images
NORTHERN CAPE — The Northern Cape provincial government plans to approach national departments for funding to carry out repairs on roads severely damaged by flooding over the weekend. This is as the country prepares to experience the strongest El Niño in decades.
According to SABC News, heavy rainfall swept across the region, prompting temporary closures of roads in Kuruman after a major crossing was inundated by rising water levels. Officials urged motorists to stay off flooded routes as the water posed a direct risk to vehicles and road users.
Northern Cape Roads MEC responds to damage
Bentley Vass, the provincial MEC for Roads and Public Works, confirmed that technical teams have been deployed to conduct ground-level assessments of affected infrastructure. He stated that motorist safety is the department's primary concern during this period, and that residents should avoid attempting to cross any flooded sections.
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Vass noted that while provincial authorities remain actively involved in monitoring conditions, the scale of the damage means that national financial support will be required to fund long-term rehabilitation of the affected roads. The department has entered into a coordinated response with the national departments of Cooperative Governance and Agriculture to manage relief operations and protect communities living near the affected areas.
View SAWS' weather forecast for the province:
Provincial and national departments join relief effort
No timeline for the completion of repairs has been confirmed, with the government's immediate focus remaining on assessing the full extent of the damage and ensuring the safety of those in flood-affected areas. Residents in the Kuruman area have been advised to monitor official communications from the provincial government for updates on road conditions and re-openings.
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In a related article, Briefly News reported on the recent incident involving two trucks that overturned on the Du Toitskloof Pass due to strong winds, which subsequently led to the closure of vital transport routes in the Western Cape. As weather warnings remain in effect, this event underscores the unpredictability of nature and its significant impact on travel safety in the region.
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Source: Briefly News
