Motorists travelling on the N14 between Vryburg and Kuruman have been warned to avoid the road entirely. As of Monday morning (4/5), a section of the national road remained closed due to dangerously high water levels, said North West police spokesperson Col Adéle Myburgh. 

Motorist are urged to use alternative routes, including the N18 between Vryburg and Kimberley via Taung.

Video footage circulating on social media shows extensive flooding along the affected stretch of the N14. 

Thursday’s heavy downpours forced the closure of multiple roads across North West, said community safety, roads and transport spokesperson Alpheus Oshebeng Koonyaditse.

Officials have been deployed to affected areas. He stated that officers are on the ground to monitor the situation. In JB Marks municipality, flooding also impacted local infrastructure. 

Authorities were forced to close the low-water bridge on Retief Street, adjacent to Trim Park, after it was submerged.

“Following an on-site assessment conducted by the JB Marks disaster management centre, the bridge has been closed to all vehicular traffic in the interest of public safety. 

The situation will be closely monitored, with continuous assessments undertaken to determine when it is safe to reopen the road,” said municipal spokesperson Jeanette Tshite.

Motorists have again been strongly advised to avoid affected areas and to make use of alternative routes where possible. The impact of the heavy rains has, however, extended beyond North West

In the Northern Cape, several roads and bridges were closed over the long weekend due to flooding. The Northern Cape department of transport, safety and liaison warned persistent rainfall, reduced visibility, and slippery road conditions are significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Closed roads included the R31 between Hotazel and Kimberley, the N12 between Christiana and Kimberley, the N14 between Kuruman and Vryburg, and the N8 between Kimberley and Groblershoop. Law enforcement officials have been deployed to redirect traffic along safer alternative routes.

Authorities appealed to communities to remain vigilant, follow official weather updates and traffic advisories, and report any road hazards to the relevant authorities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs

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