Newcastle recently faced severe flooding after receiving 110mm of rain in just three days, leaving many schools, roads, businesses, and the taxi rank closed. The community has spent the past week dealing with the aftermath.
The hardest-hit areas include Finnemore Street, Dixon Street, and St Tomas Street in Paradise, as well as Taxi City, Sutherland Street, Kirkland Street, and Bridger Street in the lower CBD. Other affected areas include Trim Park, Umfolozi Road, Marconi Drive, D96, the road to Vezubuhle, and parts of Madadeni and Osizweni.
The Newcastle community police forum (CPF) took proactive measures ahead of the flood, issuing warnings to the public in low-lying areas and assisting the SAPS and disaster management in closing flooded roads and aiding trapped community members.
Sandile Mdluli, PRO at the Newcastle CPF, said: “Working with the SAPS and disaster management, we managed to help residents who found themselves in sticky situations with the rising water. We also handed out sandbags and other preventative measures.”
The Newcastle SPCA also took proactive steps, preparing kennels and equipment to avoid animal emergencies. They offered free boarding at their facilities to animals from areas usually affected by floods.
Heather Gero, animal welfare volunteer at the Newcastle SPCA, added: “We responded to the flooded areas, collecting multiple pets for safekeeping at the SPCA while their families dealt with the disaster. We continuously checked affected areas day and night for animals in distress.”
Gero recounted a rescue mission in the Fernwood area, where they saved a dog stuck in floodwaters. “The owner had removed his family to safety, including his newborn baby, but couldn’t reach his dog. We were able to safely remove the dog, who was frightened but safe.”
Ward councillor Shandy Singh stated that the flooding issue was discussed in a recent council meeting, with all parties agreeing that it needs to be prioritised. Singh suggested that the municipality engage with local experts who have solutions to the flooding problem while the Newcastle Residents Forum (NRF) chairperson Matthew Shunmugam criticised the Council’s inadequate response to the flooding issue.
“Two years after the worst flooding in living memory, the town is yet again ravaged by floods. The flooding problems have exacerbated immensely, becoming an annual occurrence,” he said.
Shunmugam recommended that a hydrologist be appointed to re-examine the flood lines, as the last report is outdated. He also emphasised the need for dredging the Ncandu River to prevent future flooding.
