Authorities in Riverlands, outside Malmesbury in the Swartland, are monitoring a fourth dam amid concerns that it might burst its walls if rain continues in the area.
The small rural town woke up to harrowing scenes early on Thursday morning. This after water from two farm dams above their homes came gushing.“My son could not even sleep last night after this happened. We had to sleep at my brother-in-law’s house. He was very traumatised and so are we. It’s the first time we had to go through something like this. It’s something that will stay with us for a long long time.
West Coast District Municipality spokesperson, Hein Robertson says, “For now the immediate thing to do is to provide humanitarian relief. I can assure you that subsequent to human relief, there will be an investigation conducted by the Department of Water. That investigation will determine, one what the cause was of these dams and two, like you are asking could we have avoided this disaster here in Riverlands.