The Western Cape Disaster Management centre is preparing for prolonged electricity outage in parts of the Central Karoo after seven Eskom towers collapsed following severe thunderstorms this past weekend.
This morning, Premier Alan Winde, Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Anton Bredell, and key leadership of the Western Cape Government received an update on the Eskom power outage.
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Eskom briefed the meeting on its plans to restore power; and the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) on its efforts to assist residents with accessing critical services such as water, health, education, and ensuring food security.
The PDMC is planning and coordinating essential services for a prolonged electricity outage in parts of the Central Karoo.
Eskom informed us that the repair project is complex, and although they are working as fast as possible, repairs will most likely take at least a week.
These Karoo towns are affected:
- Roggeveld
- Laingsburg
- Ladismith
- Leeugamka
- Swartberg
- Merweville
- Matjiesfontein
- Prince Albert
Fraserburg and Sutherland in the Northern Cape are also affected.
Bredell said the provincial government will focus on essential services, such as drinking water and wastewater systems in the affected communities, as well as the functioning of public services, such as hospitals and schools during this outage period.
Bredell confirmed that the following generators are being dispatched for critical service delivery:
• A 100 kVA generator from the Overberg District Municipality is currently being installed in Laingsburg for Water Treatment.
• A 45 kVA generator from the Garden Route District Municipality is being installed in Matjiesfontein for water today.
• A 100 kVA generator from Bitou municipality for water provision in Prince Albert today.
The following generators will be dispatched for installation in central business areas:
• A 650 kVA generator from the Western Cape Department of Health in Prince Albert.
• A 350 kVA generator from the Western Cape Department of Health in Laingsburg.
• A 315 kVA generator from Eskom in Laingsburg.
• A 315 kVA from Eskom in Prince Albert.
• A 315 kVA generator from Eskom in Ladismith.
Eskom says specialist teams are currently on route to the site, and abnormal vehicles are preparing to transport the needed materials and equipment to the Karoo.
Bredell asked for the cooperation of all affected communities.
“We are acknowledging your frustration and anxiety. We are supporting Eskom in every way possible to get power back as fast as possible with your safety and well-being central to each action we take.”
