By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Situation continues to be unbearable for the residents, who were left destitute by a massive and lethal downpour in Deelpan village near Atamelang. More than 1200 households were affected and had to leave their water-locked houses to find shelter elsewhere.
Now, the North West Department of Health has urged residents to pre-boil the water before consumption as a preventative measure. The departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said this comes after the results of the water samples that were taken in for testing, showed that only one point is safe for human consumption and the other two were not.
“The community was therefore advised to pre-boil the water before consumption. Child immunization, measles 1st dose, Vitamin A and deworming were also administered. We have also been on the ground each day of the week to ensure delivery of health services to the community.
“Since the area became flooded, it was difficult for ambulances and public transport to access the community. The department has moved with speed to implement the intervention measures to ensure provision of health services through placement of mobile clinics at the tribal office premises,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said the integrated service delivery including COVID-19 screening, testing and vaccination, vital signs, TB screening, assessment of clients, provision of treatment, doctor consultation, distribution of male and female condoms, mobilization and issuing of cloth masks have been conducted. Some patients have been traced and re-initiated on Anti-Retroviral Treatment and hypertension treatments.
“The awareness campaigns will continue to be conducted through community radio stations and health education pamphlets on safety measures. Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) will also conduct assessment to the clients who complain of sores which might be related to water consumption.
“Going forward, the department intends to ensure placement of rescue vehicles for 24 hours at the tribal office to address emergencies and EMS activations when need arises. The department will also participate in the 24-hour disaster management call center located at the tribal office. Mobile services will continue until the situation is back to normal,” said Lekgethwane.
One of the residents, Isaac Mabepa (64) who is a taxi owner said his business was heavily affected by the situation.
“I am crestfallen by the torrential rains as you could see. I have five minibus taxis, but three of them are stuck in the yard as there is no way out. My house is also full of water and we have nowhere to sleep. We put crates in the water to create beds so that we can sleep.
“All rooms are full of water and I have also lost livestock such as pigs, chicken, cows and goats. We urge the government to assist us and bring remedial action as our livelihoods have been affected,” he said.
Another resident, Maria Mopedi (33) alleged that quarries that are induced with floods were dug up by contractors who came to their area to build RDP houses. Mopedi said the government needs to ensure that all contractors who dig up holes do not leave them unattended as that impacts negatively during the rainy season.
“We stay next to a quarry that was dug up by contractors who were building RDP houses here. It cannot be correct that these contractors leave these quarries unattended as they are risky to human lives. These quarries become flood-induced because the water has nowhere to go during heavy rains and spill into our yards,” she said.
The executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe said they have removed people from flood induced areas to mitigate risk and reduce vulnerability. Molefe said the engineers had dug up furrows to ensure that water flows out of residential areas in quest to enhance livelihood security.
“We have brought engineers to the area because we have realised that the situation is not going to subside unless we come up with a scientific approach. The aim is to alleviate the situation because water is not moving.
“There are dead animals and pit latrines are full, therefore, faeces are flowing into the houses that are water-locked. People cannot be accessed by ambulances or any other means because of the devastating situation,” he said.
The North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) spokesperson, Tsholofelo Mathibedi said they are working together with all stakeholders involved to respond to the situation. Mathibedi said, as a government, disaster management relief funds will be unlocked for remedial actions.