MEDIA STATEMENT

18 February 2017

A SIGH OF RELIEF AS EX-CYCLONE DINEO LEAVE OUR SHORES

Disaster teams deployed in different areas in the 3 affected Provinces (KZN,

Mpumalanga and Limpopo) continue to watch the situation as rain continue to fall. In
some areas the rains did not fall as it was earlier predicted and this assisted to keep
the situation normal. Today (18 Feb 2017) we dont expect further heavy rains as
Dineo has now moved into the neighbouring countries.

It is however important to note that even though Dineo has left our shores, the South
African Weather Service anticipates that a fresh weather system is developing and it
will bring rains over other Provinces of our country such as the North West, Free
State and some parts of the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape. The accumulative
effect of these rains might have serious consequences like flash flooding and forcing
rivers to overflow. Our disaster management teams are appealing to communities in
these provinces to be cautious so as to avert any potential disasters.

Due to prolonged rain due to Ex-Cyclone Dineo, 4 houses were damaged in Mbombela
and 15 mudhouses in Nkomazi. There were also incidents in different local
municipalities of the Vhembe District municipality. Disaster teams supported by the
department of Social Development assisted the affected households, providing
temporary structures, blankets, food, etc.

Rainfall figures are as follows in the last 24hrs:

i. Mbombela 21.4mm
ii. Granskop 52.4mm
iii. Blyde River Canyon 19.4mm
iv. Tzaneen 81.4mm
v. Levubu 20.4mm
vi. Thohoyandou 28.4mm

From the above figures of the last 24 hours Graskop received 218.4mm rainfall over
the past 48hrs, making it the highest volume of rain received through Ex-cyclone
Dineo.

River flows are stable in the areas of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces after
the heavy rains. It is also important to note that due to these heavy rains caused by

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Dineo, some dams and rivers have benefited in the two Provinces as they are showing
signs of increase in volumes. Although in South Africa Tropical Cyclone Dineo has
dissipated somewhat and moved to neighbouring countries, the Water and Sanitation
Department will continue to monitor all rivers and dams as more rains are forecasted
in some parts of the country. New weather patterns are expected to kick in from the
beginning of next week that may cause water levels to increase in rivers, small and
large dams alike. The Department of Water and Sanitation will maintain its high
vigilance on the dams and rivers in provinces where more rains are expected. The
Department will maintain its readiness to repair damaged infrastructure and ensure
the restoration of water services in affected areas.

The disaster management teams will be on high alert across all spheres of government
to deal with any eventualities which might arise in North West, Free State, Limpopo,
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

Minister Des van Rooyen thanked all teams in the 3 provinces that worked hard
preparing and planning for the Cyclone coordinated through the National Joint
Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) and Provincial Joint Operational
and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS).

Your efforts and hard work have not gone unnoticed as the work you did, planning
and intervention has contributed to zero fatalities during this challenging period of
storms and heavy rains, added the Minister. The Minister indicated that the National
Disaster Management centre will continue to be on high alert, working with other role-
players and all spheres of government to ensure the safety of communities affected
by the heavy rains.

Enquiries:

Legadima Leso
CoGTA Communication
083 378 9495