Flooding chaos for Isipingo Beach residents after burst valve incident

THE SAFETY and well-being of some Isipingo Beach residents, south of Durban, were severely compromised by a flooding incident that occurred in the area on Monday.

A burst valve at the nearby Isipingo Beach Reservoir, eventually released large volumes of water that triggered sand and mud flows that brought significant damage and discomfort especially to families living on Delta Road.

One motorist on Delta Road had a near death experience as he attempted to wade through the flood street, the local environment and infrastructure was also affected.

eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana confirmed that the inlet to the reservoir had burst, resulting in severe wash away and damage to surrounding properties.

“A temporary repair has been undertaken, and every effort is being made to expedite the process,” she stated. However, Sisilana cautioned that due to extensive soil erosion, immediate repairs on the existing main are currently unfeasible.

Among the residents affected by the flooding was Hawa Bi Bi Mahomed. She encountered a large volume of water down the embankment at her property, which started as a trickle last Thursday, that grew significantly with time.

In spite of notifying the municipality about the spillage, she found herself in a perilous situation on Sunday night.

“When the water and mud came through my back door into the kitchen, I feared for my safety,” Mahomed recounted.

Her son, Idris Mahomed, received an urgent call from her after 11pm and rushed over to a scene that resembled a nightmare.

“I immediately knew what to do – I had been through this before,” said Idris, recalling his past experiences with similar incidents.

As he scrambled to dig a trench to divert water away from the house, he noted that by 4am on Monday, the water was flowing at an alarming rate, creating a significant erosion hazard.

Idris further described the horrifying moment was when a delivery driver nearly lost his life, unaware that what appeared as a mere sand heap could severely hinder his path.

“He thought he could drive through, but the mud came in suddenly. Fortunately, others nearby rushed to his aid and helped him out,” he said, highlighting the chaos and danger that ensued amidst the flooding.

In response to the disaster, Shad Nowbuth, the local ward councillor for eThekwini, noted that water tankers have been deployed to assist residents facing water outages.

“Payloaders are also on-site to clear the sand from the roadway,” he added, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to addressing the residents’ urgent needs.

This flooding incident comes on the heels of prior notices issued to residents and businesses regarding the temporary shutdown of the reservoir for maintenance.

The unpleasant surprise of the burst valve raises questions about the effectiveness of preventive measures in place and the ongoing challenges residents face amid infrastructural concerns.

As the residents of Isipingo Beach begin assessing the damage to their properties, many are seeking legal advice and guidance on processing claims, hoping to navigate the repercussions of this unforeseen calamity.

With the promise of continued municipal support and intervention, the community stands united in the face of adversity, determined to overcome the impacts of this flood.

DAILY NEWS