The largest flood in living memory devastated the low-lying areas of South Africa’s Hex River Valley last week, causing the complete collapse of eight bridges across the Hex River as well as severely damaging the approaches to several others.
The region usually receives 330mm of rain annually but last week approximately 200mm fell within 48 hours. The extent of the damage to the vineyards and infrastructure in the region has not yet been finalised, but current estimates are around R250 million (£16m).
The damage extends to between 60 and 100 hectares of vineyards and infrastructure along 20 kilometres of river frontage in the valley.
Although farmers close to the river have sustained severe damage, the flood damage should not have a significant impact on the total crop figures from this region. As the first grapes are usually harvested here in late December, producers in the valley face a huge job of clearing massive silting in the vineyards and repairing infrastructure, but in general this should be done in time to resume the necessary pre-harvest vineyard practices and to prepare for a successful harvest.
Alexander Kriel, project co-ordinator of the Hex River Valley Table Grape Association, said: “We are working around the clock to repair damage to our bridges to restore access to parts of the region that have been cut off by the floods.
“Judging by the severity of the damage it looks likely that our area will officially be declared a disaster area by government and we are negotiating with local government to assist us with the recovery process,” he added.
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