AT LEAST 900 households in Newton, Wellington, have been given the green light to return home after being evacuated due to a dam wall failure risk.
The Drakenstein Municipality said the decision was taken in light of the fact that the water level of 150 000m3 dam in the Bo-Dal area dropped slightly since Saturday night, as well as the lighter rainfall predicted for yesterday.
Residents began evacuating voluntarily on Tuesday night, when the dam wall was deemed at risk as authorities feared it could overflow due to heavy rainfall.
During the evacuation period, the police, fire services, law enforcement services and a neighbourhood watch group patrolled the area to ensure the safety of residents' properties.
Drakenstein Municipality added that they would continue to monitor the dam closely and notify residents should the situation change.
On Saturday, the municipality said it had distributed over 10 000 sandbags in areas that were flooded, and issued around 120m of plastic sheeting to assist residents of informal dwellings with leaking roofs. The municipality was also aiding 254 people in two temporary shelters, one of which was accommodating 41 homeless people.
All municipal cemeteries remained closed and the municipality said it would reassess the situation today.
The Orleans Park resort in Paarl has been closed temporarily and all municipal sports fields remain closed for practice and play.
Residents were advised to report incidents to their ward councillor, the municipality at 080 131 3553, or via the municipality’s SeeClickFix app.
For fires specifically, residents can contact the municipality’s fire services at 021 872 2323.
Donations can be dropped off at the Paarl Fire Station.
| Cape Times