A man and a baby girl have lost their lives in Kariega amidst the torrential storms and floods that have ravaged the Eastern Cape.
The intense weather conditions have also left four women missing, prompting extensive rescue operations across the province.
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In a separate incident, a vehicle carrying six occupants was washed away by the flooded Brak River near Rocklands in the early hours of Sunday morning.
While five of the occupants were successfully rescued, one woman remains missing. According to Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), one male was recovered safely from an island that had formed in the river, while the remaining four were recovered safely on the southern side of the river.
At least 70 individuals have been rescued from 55 separate rescue operations across the Eastern Cape.
The rescue efforts involve a coalition of teams, including the NSRI, police, and municipal services, who were mobilized from around 10.45pm on Saturday night.
Lambinon stated, “Multiple rescue operations have recovered persons safely from buildings, residences, and vehicles. NSRI and Coastal Water Rescue have multiple rescuers in wetsuits on scene assisting police divers, police K9 search and rescue, NMBMM, and emergency services in operations.”
The severe weather has also impacted maritime activities. Authorities in Gqeberha’s harbour are investigating reports of vessels breaking their moorings, while in East London’s Buffalo River, there have been reports of sunken jetties and damaged boats.
Just called my sister on Kariega, thank goodness she’s ok….but battling to keep water out of the house. It’s hectic in Kariega aka Uitenhage. pic.twitter.com/naApjlDzA3
— Clarence Watts (@clarencesdb) June 2, 2024
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Uitenhage/Kariega fire department and some other places. pic.twitter.com/fcPJMGxOwa
— Like-Car not Laeeqah 🇵🇸 🇿🇦 (@LaaiqahEbrahim_) June 1, 2024
Many residents in Kariega are struggling to come to terms with the horrific effects of last night’s heavy rains. This is the aftermath. #sabcnews
📸🎥Sine Witi pic.twitter.com/H2MMgNleNY
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) June 2, 2024
The Kariega Firestation has also been bay affected by the heavy rains in Nelson Mandela Metro. #sabcnews
📸🎥Sine Witi pic.twitter.com/x9NntAgLOk
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) June 2, 2024
