The Vhembe District in Limpopo has been battered by persistent heavy rainfall over the past several days, causing widespread damage to roads, business infrastructure, and disrupting economic activity across the region.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued Orange Level 6 and Orange Level 9 warnings for parts of Limpopo, including Thohoyandou, Tzaneen, Giyani, and Phalaborwa, signalling dangerous weather conditions that may lead to flooding, road closures, and infrastructure damage.
“The Orange Level 6 warning indicates a high likelihood of disruptive rainfall, with significant impacts including flooding of roads and settlements, and danger to life due to fast-flowing streams and deep waters,” the SAWS said in a statement.
The authority added that the “Level 9 warning represents a medium likelihood of severe impacts, including widespread and dangerous flooding and significant damage to infrastructure, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.”
In Vhembe, heavy rain has caused the Nandoni Dam to overflow, leading to flooding at nearby businesses such as The Vuez and Lira Boutique. The rising waters have submerged premises, damaged goods and equipment, and brought operations to a standstill.
Services such as the restaurant and boat cruising operations near the dam have also been forced to close, as floodwaters cover infrastructure and wash away critical equipment, resulting in further financial losses and uncertainty for staff and owners alike.
Local roads have been severely affected, with gravel and paved routes turning into muddy, impassable tracks. Transport operators say many taxis and delivery vehicles are unable to reach rural communities, leaving shop owners struggling to restock and residents cut off from essential services.
SAWS forecaster Amukelani Mkhari warned residents to take the alerts seriously.
“Communities are urged to re-evaluate their outdoor activities, and also follow instructions from local authorities.” He emphasised that conditions are “extremely dangerous” with the potential for homes, livestock, and infrastructure to be swept away if rain persists.
Heavy rains are not only disrupting business infrastructure and forcing operations to a standstill in Vhembe, but across Limpopo province as a whole. Floodwaters have spread through towns and rural areas alike, with roads submerged, bridges swept away, and entire transport routes cut off.
Economic activity has largely come to a halt, as goods cannot be delivered, logistics operations are severely disrupted, and access to markets remains blocked. In farming areas, crops have been washed away, threatening livelihoods and food supply. With movement restricted and infrastructure damaged, businesses across the province are effectively at a standstill.
Experts have highlighted that the current weather pattern is part of broader seasonal dynamics that contribute to higher rainfall totals across the country. The SAWS has previously noted that patterns of heavy downpours and possible flooding are tied to larger weather systems affecting the Lowveld and eastern parts of South Africa, and that communities should remain vigilant.
The prolonged rains have underscored the vulnerability of rural infrastructure in Limpopo, where many roads and drainage systems are unable to withstand intense downpours. Local residents and business owners are calling on authorities to accelerate road maintenance and invest in flood-resilient infrastructure to protect livelihoods and improve safety during extreme weather events.
Azwi@vutivibusiness.co.za
