Floods force evacuations

Emergency services help hundreds – but farmers happy with rain

WHILE heavy rain drove some Nelson Mandela Bay residents from their homes, others were overjoyed by the “blessing” that bucketed down for most of Easter Sunday.

At least 200 residents from low-lying townships around Port Elizabeth were evacuated from their homes as almost 100mm of rain was measured in places around the Bay.

According to the South African Weather Service, Coega measured more than 92mm, while Motherwell and the Port Elizabeth airport measured 79.4mm and 60.4mm respectively. Parts of Uitenhage and Despatch had more than 80mm and damage to homes and roads was reported throughout Nelson Mandela Bay.

Municipal spokesman Roland Williams said informal settlements in the Joe Slovo, Zwide and Kwazakhele areas were among the worst affected by the heavy rain.

-Riaan Marais