River warning: Major Komani businesses in flood zone

Flood vulnerability highlighted in official 2024/2025 report

The Chris Hani District Municipality has identified several buildings in Komani as being located within high flood-risk zones along the Komani River.

The findings are contained in the municipality’s Final Draft Audited Consolidated Annual Report for the 2024/2025 financial year, which includes flood inundation mapping and disaster risk assessments for towns across the district.

According to the report, parts of the Komani central business district (CBD) fall within areas classified as high flood risk.

Commercial and public buildings listed

The flood inundation maps indicate that several industrial and commercial properties along the Komani River are situated inside high flood-risk zones.

Buildings identified in the report include:

• Builders Express

• McDonald’s

• Nonesi Mall

• Lukhanji BnB

• A Sasol garage

• Pick n Pay

In addition, Southbourne Primary School and the Moth Hall are also noted as being within high flood-risk areas.

The municipality’s mapping exercise forms part of its broader climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction planning.

Flood modelling and disaster preparedness

The flood risk assessment is based on modelling that uses height-above-nearest-drainage (HAND) data. This hydrological model helps identify flood plains and simulate potential inundation areas should rivers overflow.

The report states that such modelling assists with:

• Understanding water movement

• Identifying drainage networks

• Determining flood lines and flood plains

• Supporting early warning and disaster risk reduction planning

The municipality emphasises that the purpose of these assessments is to improve preparedness and planning, particularly in the context of increasing climate variability.

Climate pressures increasing risk

The annual report notes that the district continues to experience destructive weather patterns linked to climate change. It also references El Niño and La Niña cycles as contributing factors to extreme weather conditions.

The municipality states that flood risk mapping is intended to guide future planning, infrastructure protection, and coordinated disaster response efforts.

Residents and business owners in affected areas are encouraged to remain aware of official weather alerts and disaster management communications.