Emergency services are on high alert across the Eden District in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo following overnight rain across the region.
Treacherous weather forced the closure of the scenic Meiringspoort pass outside Oudtshoorn for several hours.
A few vehicles were left stranded on the Klaarstroom side of the pass.Authorities however will continue to monitor the situation.
“At this stage the pass is opened. We opened it for traffic because the low water bridges are open at this stage. So we are guiding all the vehicles safely to the other side of De Rust,” says Morne Thasse from Emergency Services.
But the rain is welcome in this normally dry region.
Oudtshoorn Mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen says: “The Melbos Dam is at this stage is 100% full and that happened overnight.
The Raubenheimer Dam stood at 87% yesterday morning. It is now 93%. So we of course welcome the rain in this area. We are very glad for such a beautiful 1st of September.”
The Garden Route National Park authorities have warned visitors to exercise caution when crossing the rivers in the park.
The rain is expected to start clearing later this week.
SABC
