Ba-Phalaborwa make temporary road access arrangements

The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality in Mopani, Limpopo, has put in place temporary road access arrangements following excessive damage to some of the major roads due to flooding.

Limpopo has faced serious challenges posed by the recent heavy rainfall and flooding affecting the Vhembe, Mopani, parts of Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Capricorn Districts.

The floods come after the South African Weather Services issued warnings of up to level 09, of continued heavy rains, with flood levels.

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So far, the number of fatalities from drowning incidents in Limpopo has now risen to 18, with five still missing. The South African government has since declared the recent floods a national disaster.

In the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, some of the roads that have been affected include the R71, R40 Sellati River Bridge, which has collapsed.

The R40 from MICA towards Phalaborwa has also been closed due to a large sinkhole. The R578 Selwane Road is closed at Letaba Bridge and therefore has no access to Giyani via Letaba Bridge. D379 Makhushane Bridge has collapsed while the D3786 Mashishimale [near Lejori Lifestyle Centre] bridge has also collapsed. 

ALSO READ: Devastating floods declared a national disaster 

In a communiqué issued on Monday, the municipality states that the R71 will be used as an entrance to town only. Exit from town via R530 [Namakgale] must proceed along D3790 [Makhushane], while exit from town via R530 [Lulekani] must proceed via the R40.

Meanwhile, the Makhushane Bridge is currently undergoing repair works. As a result, the road will be temporarily closed to traffic.

Motorists are requested to adhere to temporary road signage and instructions from traffic officials.