Engineering teams deployed to assess widespread infrastructure damage
Flooding has wreaked havoc across several parts of Limpopo, destroying critical road infrastructure in the Waterberg, Vhembe and Mopani districts and prompting the provincial government to launch a comprehensive disaster response. Authorities have confirmed that engineering teams have been sent to evaluate the scale of destruction in affected areas.
Among the roads severely damaged are the D972 beyond Vaalwater and the D192 in Mokgalakwena within the Waterberg District. In the Vhembe District, the D3681 linking Tshikunda and Vhufuli in Thulamela Municipality, as well as the D3830 at Mbhokota village near Louis Trichardt, have also sustained significant damage. Multiple routes across parts of the Mopani District have likewise been affected.
MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene, confirmed on Sunday that multi-departmental teams are working in collaboration with municipal disaster management units to tackle the crisis.
"Our teams, working together with the disaster management teams of municipalities and sister departments, will be on the ground to assess the extent of the damage caused, as well as ensuring that we come up with both temporary and long-term solutions to the challenges we are faced with as a province. We further advise all communities, road users in particular, to avoid flooded roads and bridges during this period and that they must also prioritise their safety."
Premier warns risk remains until end of March
Premier Phophi Ramathuba highlighted that the devastating floods serve as a sharp reminder of earlier alerts from the South African Weather Service, which indicated that Limpopo faces continued flood risk through to the end of March 2026. A weather warning for disruptive rainfall was issued for the province from 14 to 15 March, with forecasters cautioning that localised flooding could affect roads, bridges, properties and municipal services in vulnerable areas.
Certain regions recorded more than 100mm of rainfall over just two days, intensifying the provincial government's emergency posture. The Premier noted that distress calls have been pouring in from communities where vital transport routes have been washed away.
"We have received numerous distress calls, particularly from residents in affected districts where essential roads have been destroyed. Incidents, such as mudslides along the R523 between Khalavha and Sibasa and major challenges on the R33 in Waterberg, have been reported. Many low-lying bridges are submerged, rendering roads impassable to schools and health facilities."
Ramathuba assured residents that the Provincial Disaster Management Team is actively responding to urgent needs, though she cautioned that waterlogged conditions could delay relief efforts in some remote areas. She urged communities to remain calm, stay away from swollen rivers and limit unnecessary travel.
In a further development, the Nwamanungu (Middle Letaba) Dam has overflowed for the first time in years, raising alarm for downstream communities that had previously escaped the flooding. The Limpopo Provincial Disaster Management Centre remains on full alert and has urged residents to report emergencies via the toll-free number 0800 222 111 or through their local municipal offices.
"We urge our residents to remain calm and prioritise their safety by avoiding flooded rivers and minimising movement as much as possible."
The Premier also indicated that a formal request will be submitted to the national government seeking an urgent review of funding allocations to address the mounting costs of the ongoing disaster.
The destruction of critical road networks across Waterberg, Vhembe and Mopani districts threatens to isolate rural communities from essential services including schools and healthcare facilities during a period when further flooding remains likely through March. Small businesses dependent on transport routes face significant disruption, while the mounting repair costs could strain provincial budgets and divert resources from other development priorities. Whether national government provides emergency funding will largely determine the speed of recovery for affected communities.
