Municipality counts the cost of impact of devastating rains on infrastructure
The damages caused by recent heavy rains will cost about R1.4 billion to repair.
This was heard at last week’s meeting of the eThekwini Municipality Executive Committee (EXCO) during which a comprehensive report on the impact of the heavy rains between January 13 and 16 was tabled.
The report provided an overview of damages, the estimated rehabilitation costs, response measures, and inter-departmental interventions.
On Tuesday January 23, City manager Musa Mbhele presented the report which provided an overview of damages, the estimated rehabilitation costs, response measures, and inter-departmental interventions.
“Extensive structural damage occurred across multiple sectors, comprising residential structures, community halls, roads, storm water infrastructure, and public health facilities,” he said.
“The primary cause of the damages was identified as mudslide hazards, exacerbated by continuous rainfall over a three-day period,” said Mr Mbhele.
“eThekwini has over the past few years experienced extensive damage to infrastructure and facilities, compounding costs and delaying repairs of existing damage.”
According to the report nine people died, 341 dwellings had been damaged, and 1 413 individuals affected.
Burial assistance is being coordinated for the families of the deceased through the Office of the Mayor, said Mr Mbhele.
“Ongoing projects funded by the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (R&R) Grant suffered additional damage, leading to a request for a three-month extension for all disaster-funded projects,” said Mr Mbhele.
“However we are pleased to note that to date approximately R1 billion has been allocated to about 743 projects awaiting implementation. We highlight that close monitoring of the accelerated construction plan is imperative for efficient service delivery.”
The report also outlined that since the floods earlier this year, the city had started repairs on essential infrastructure, using existing resources. Electricity and water operations are being addressed within the existing budget and a submission to the Provincial Disaster Management is under way for the classification of a disaster under the Disaster Management Act, said Mr Mbhele.
A Joint Operations Centre was activated to present incident reports, incorporate recovery plans, and propose relief measures. The National Disaster Management Centre has allowed budget reprioritisation for emergency repairs.
Exco noted the submitted report and recovery plans and backed Disaster Management’s submission for a disaster declaration. Mr Mbhele said an updated report will be submitted tomorrow, Tuesday January 31, at the first full council meeting for the year for approval.
