Mpumalanga: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has issued an update regarding the national roads affected by recent heavy rains and flooding in Mpumalanga.
According to South African Government News Agency, SANRAL Mpumalanga's Provincial Head, Mabuyi Mhlanga, stated that the roads agency is actively monitoring the situation by conducting assessments in areas deemed safe. Mhlanga emphasized the importance of these efforts in ensuring road user safety, noting that assessments will be performed in unsafe areas once floodwaters recede. Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) teams are on standby to address issues as they arise.
Mhlanga urged road users to exercise caution by reducing speed, maintaining safe distances, and avoiding flooded areas due to unpredictable water depths and road conditions. The latest update on affected national roads is as follows:
In Nkomazi Local Municipality, the R582 at Coopersdal Road from N4 to R571 Intersection has been damaged at the Komati River Bridge overtopped, R582 Section1, with one-way traffic flow being maintained.
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality reports damage on the R37 Section 4, from the Sabie/Nelspruit intersection to the Mbombela Border, particularly from Km 24 at Brondaal old pump station to Km 28. This includes three slip failures, though two-way traffic flow is maintained.
The R36 Section 3 between Lydenburg and Bambi has severe pavement deterioration.
In Mbombela and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, on R40 Section 1 at the Bulembu Border, there is drainage and structural failure with one-way traffic maintained. R40 Section 4 at Km 19.4 and Km 27 between White River and Hazyview experienced slip failure and culvert collapse, with contractors on site to manage the situation. A 24-hour stop-and-go system is in place at R40 Section 5 at Km 30.4 between Bushbuckridge and Dwarsloop. At Km 45 between Acornhoek and Dullstroom, slip and culvert failures have been reported, though two-way traffic continues. Another 24-hour stop-and-go system is operational at Km 50.4 between Dwarsloop and Acornhoek.