More road closures in the south
07 January 2021 | Local News
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The Roads Authority (RA) of Namibia has issued an update on the extent of damage to roads in the south of the country after heavy rains the past few days, and announced that more roads have been closed.
It requested road users to exercise extreme caution and be vigilant on their journeys, especially in areas where there have been good rains.
According to the RA, the Stampriet River has flooded the tourist route C16 from Keetmanshoop to Aroab and the road has been closed temporarily for all traffic.
On Tuesday, 4x4 vehicles were still able to pass on this road.
Gravel roads from Noordoewer to Karasburg, which include the main road 22 (MR22) and the district road 271 (D71) are both temporarily closed to traffic due to serious wash-aways at river crossings and a collapsed culvert on MR22.
Different route
The RA urged road users from Noordoewer to Karasburg to use the tarred road via Grünau.
Furthermore, the D210 is closed temporarily due to damage to the bridge near Warmbad, while the tourist route C17 from Keetmanshoop to Koës has also been temporarily closed to traffic as a portion of this road was severely damaged.
The Vaalgras River has flooded the gravel road (MR29) from Keetmanshoop to Mariental via Vaalgras. It caused extensive damage to a portion of the road near the river.
D609 and D511 from Keetmanshoop to Berseba have both been closed temporarily.
According to the RA, the Fish River crosses both roads and it is currently not safe to access them.
On the B1 route about 121km from Grünau to Keetmanshoop, the eastern road shoulder has been extensively damaged, it said.
The road is open to traffic and road signs have been erected to warn the road users about the damaged section.
‘Working around the clock’
“The RA is working around the clock to inspect and assess the condition of the roads and to erect warning signs at damaged sections accordingly. Where possible, we will ensure that emergency repair works are done to allow access to the public.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, Keetmanshoop mayor Maree Smit urged motorists at the town to be patient with the municipality with regards to road repairs.
“The public should not expect us to repair all roads in the next two weeks or so. We first want the excessive rain to pass before work can start. However, roads in urgent need of repair will be attended to,” she said.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
WINDHOEK
The Roads Authority (RA) of Namibia has issued an update on the extent of damage to roads in the south of the country after heavy rains the past few days, and announced that more roads have been closed.
It requested road users to exercise extreme caution and be vigilant on their journeys, especially in areas where there have been good rains.
According to the RA, the Stampriet River has flooded the tourist route C16 from Keetmanshoop to Aroab and the road has been closed temporarily for all traffic.
On Tuesday, 4x4 vehicles were still able to pass on this road.
Gravel roads from Noordoewer to Karasburg, which include the main road 22 (MR22) and the district road 271 (D71) are both temporarily closed to traffic due to serious wash-aways at river crossings and a collapsed culvert on MR22.
Different route
The RA urged road users from Noordoewer to Karasburg to use the tarred road via Grünau.
Furthermore, the D210 is closed temporarily due to damage to the bridge near Warmbad, while the tourist route C17 from Keetmanshoop to Koës has also been temporarily closed to traffic as a portion of this road was severely damaged.
The Vaalgras River has flooded the gravel road (MR29) from Keetmanshoop to Mariental via Vaalgras. It caused extensive damage to a portion of the road near the river.
D609 and D511 from Keetmanshoop to Berseba have both been closed temporarily.
According to the RA, the Fish River crosses both roads and it is currently not safe to access them.
On the B1 route about 121km from Grünau to Keetmanshoop, the eastern road shoulder has been extensively damaged, it said.
The road is open to traffic and road signs have been erected to warn the road users about the damaged section.
‘Working around the clock’
“The RA is working around the clock to inspect and assess the condition of the roads and to erect warning signs at damaged sections accordingly. Where possible, we will ensure that emergency repair works are done to allow access to the public.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, Keetmanshoop mayor Maree Smit urged motorists at the town to be patient with the municipality with regards to road repairs.
“The public should not expect us to repair all roads in the next two weeks or so. We first want the excessive rain to pass before work can start. However, roads in urgent need of repair will be attended to,” she said.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
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