Limpopo govt holds emergency meeting as it steps up response to severe flooding

The Limpopo government says it's stepping up its response to severe flooding in the province following an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening with key stakeholders and the national government.

The meeting included the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) as authorities look to coordinate relief, rescue and recovery efforts.

This comes as heavy rain and widespread flood damage continue to disrupt daily life across parts of the province.

Provincial officials say the engagement focused on assessing the extent of the damage and exploring ways to secure emergency funding and support from the national government.

The flooding has left roads and bridges submerged, communities cut off and schools in hard-hit districts closed, with learners unable to return for the start of the academic year.

Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu says damage assessments are continuing on the ground as they work to prioritise rescue operations, restore basic services and provide assistance to affected communities.

“So, all of our teams, your department of public works, your SAPS, your social development department, they joined in the province and were made aware and ready to be able to deal with the challenges. Hence, we were able to rescue other people, because our team is already in place,” Makamu added.

The provincial government says the involvement of national COGTA is aimed at fast-tracking interventions as weather conditions remain unstable and the risk to life persists.

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