By Three lives, including two minors have been lost due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm that swept through the Free State Province on Sunday, 11 November 2024.
According to the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlements; numerous houses were also damaged and some residents injured and are currently receiving medical attention.
According to Ms Zimasa Mbewu, the Spokesperson for the Department, Lejweleputswa District, Mangaung Metro and fezile Dabi District were the most affected by the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Mbewu said in a statement confirming the three deaths, the incidents took place separately. She explained that one person died following lightning that struck in Botshabelo east of Bloemfontein, near Setjhaba Se Maketse School over the weekend.
She said the latest reported deaths are of two minors who drowned in Ward 16, Thabong, Welkom in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. The minors drowned in a water-filled excavation site which is a seer network project. This brings the total number of deaths in the Free State to three.
“Most households have reported damages to their homes. In Boshof, Lejweleputswa district a total of 54 houses have been damaged by severe thunderstorms, with roofs that have blown away. The district response team was dispatched with 15 salvage screens, blankets, mattresses and provided temporary shelter for the affected families. The non-governmental organization, the Red Cross has also been activated to provide much-needed support. The families that are left displaced are being temporarily accommodated at the Boshof Caravan Park,” said Zimasa.
” In Thaba Nchu, in the Mangaung Metro Municipality, around 35 houses have also been blown away by strong winds, 15 of these houses are located in Zone 1, and the other nine damaged houses are in Botshabelo, Sections C and G. Two people who sustained injuries as a result of these incidents are receiving medical attention at the Dr. JS Moroka hospital after sustaining injuries. There has been provision of plastic sheeting to cover the exposed roofs.
In Parys, Ngwathe Local Municipality 8 houses have experienced substantial damage due to hailstorm. No injured people have been reported. The provincial as well as local dister teams working together the the Red Cross have attended to the affected areas in-order to provide support,” she continued.
Mbewu said the Provincial as well as district teams remain on high alert across the province to attend to the incidents, working closely with local municipalities and various stakeholders.
Residents are urged to avoid flooded areas, and low lying bridges.
