The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in KwaZulu-Natal has implemented a Flood Preparedness Plan amid tropical Cyclone Eloise which has left many homeless as a result of severe flooding in some parts of the province.

“Each year ahead of the rainy summer season, the Department puts together a plan to assess the likelihood of flooding incidents in order to enable us to prepare accordingly, “said Sputnik Ratau, the Department’s spokesperson.

Ratau said the plan then informs the Department on mitigation measures which can be taken to minimise the impact of floods on water resource infrastructure and human life. “With the current Tropical Cyclone Eloise, we’ve had to ensure that the Flood Preparedness Plan is speedily implemented, especially in the three affected provinces (Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo),” said Ratau.

He further stated that the Department’s KZN office has teams of specialised technicians who are readily available to operate infrastructures for controlling floods when necessary.

“Currently our technicians are out in the field updating and fixing malfunctioning equipment, particularly at the Tugela and Hluhluwe River Systems,” Ratau maintained.

He said the Department uses real-time hydrological and meteorological data for flood monitoring and forecasting.

“Hence all our gauging stations used for flood monitoring are equipped with real-time transmission capability,” he said.

“Tropical Cyclone Eloise has wreaked havoc especially in oPhongola and Jozini areas. It is for this reason that we are working with other organs of the state to provide the necessary support to affected communities,” he said.

He added that the Department has direct access to the South African Weather Service dynamic daily weather reports, satellite imagery, synoptic charts and the South African Flash Floods Guidance System (SAFFG) output, which are consulted daily when performing flood monitoring and forecasting tasks.

“This assists us a great deal as we are able to plan ahead of time and put measures in place with urgency when required,” he said. The province is expecting showers over the northern parts this week, Ratau said the Department’s technicians remained on high alert to support affected communities.