The Western Cape Government plans to apply to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to have a provincial disaster declared due to the damages suffered from the severe weather which affected the province between 14 and 19 June.
Also read: Agricultural damage after recent floods estimated to cost millions
The Department of Local Government, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, environmental affairs and development planning Anton Bredell presented a consolidated damage report to the cabinet.
As per the cabinet report, insured damages, damages not associated with the flooding, and the ability to reprioritise funding within existing budgets, unfunded damages have been calculated to be R703.3 million. ‘The declaration of a provincial disaster by the NDMC will allow us to approach the National Government for funding support, as the scope of damages (is) beyond the ability of the provincial fiscus,’ says Minister Bredell.
The largest amount is unfunded agricultural damage to the tune of R500 million. To this end, the Department of Agriculture reprioritised R18.6 million to assist the sector. ‘During my oversight visits to parts of the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, I gained first-hand knowledge of the devasting impact the floods had on our rural communities,’ says Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture.
‘The damage to agriculture irrigation, fencing, orchards, vineyards, crops as well as the damage caused by the removal of sediment upstream and which was later deposited downstream in the rivers and riparian zone was extensive. The decision to approach the national government is therefore welcomed.’
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Furthermore, unfunded damages to provincial infrastructure are calculated at R181.8 million. In order to address immediate repairs to crucial infrastructure, the Department of Infrastructure reprioritised R4.6 million from its appropriated budget for the 2023/24 financial year.
In light of the report, Minister of Infrastructure, Tertius Simmers, says it is important to request the classification of a provincial state of disaster. ‘The aftermath of the devastation of the floods still lingers and is there for all to see. Although we were able to reconnect our towns and reopen parts of our roads within days of the floods, the declaration of a state of disaster will assist in accelerating the economic recovery. The restoration of infrastructure will enable a seamless movement of goods and services to market as well as enable the commute of residents.
‘As a province that exports more than 50% of the country’s agriculture products, we must ensure that our infrastructure enables the sector to operate optimally. This will further ensure that the stature of the infrastructure is preserved and help mitigate future erosion.’
After reprioritised budgets were taken into consideration, unfunded damages to municipal infrastructure were calculated to be R21.5 million. This amount includes:
- Damages of R4.4 million in Overstrand;
- R1.4 million in Theewaterskloof;
- R350 000 in Swartland;
- R8 million in Cederberg;
- R435 000 in Drakenstein;
- R5.6 million in Stellenbosch; and
- R1.4 million in the City of Cape Town.
Although the province should be grateful that dams are now full due to the heavy and widespread rain, the flood damages should also be seen in the context of climate change and the understanding that future flooding and droughts will be more intense, says Minister Bredell.
‘When we rebuild from this disaster, we need to ensure our planning and design (are) with our eyes on the future. Well-maintained ecosystems, such as catchments and river courses that are clear of alien vegetation allow for better water retention, less erosion, and free-flowing rivers that prevent expensive damage to infrastructure or possible loss of life.’
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