Eastern Cape Under Water

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The torrential downpours over the past couple of days have brought with it mass destruction to infrastructure, as well as the tragic loss of life and personal property for many Eastern Cape residents.

The bridge over the Sand River, which connects Cape St Francis with the rest of the world, was washed away again, while a sinkhole 25 metres wide and 50 metres deep has split the N2 between PE and Grahamstown. It has also been reported that as many as 41 suburban homes were flooded when a vlei burst its brim and sent a 20 metre-wide river through the seaside town of Bushmans River. A policeman as well as two other people travelling over the Cebula bridge were swept away by strong currents, their bodies later recovered by police divers. This story repeats itself all over the Eastern Cape with reports still filtering in. Currently the death toll stands at eight.

And while the cleanup operations begin and thoughts go out to those worst effected by the flooding, local surfers are going to have to wait and see what wave destruction or new sandbank formations are going to be happening in their hoods. Port Alfred local Warwick Heny reckons the sandbank is likely to be washed away out front of the Kowie River, with water too dirty to surf for at least another week.

Meanwhile in St Francis, Jarvi reports from the sick bed that amongst the dirty runoff causing severe infections, the waves have been firing. “A couple of epic banks have shown up, and certain waves have been going off. A bit wild, a bit out of control, but people have been getting pitted – totally uncrowded obviously, seen as no one outside can get in.”

Thanks to Kerry Wright / Millerslocal as well as Paddy Carolan and Etienne Potgieter for the images.