This post is for the #wednesdaywalk challenge and the #makemesmile challenge collaboration. This collaboration initially took place once a month, but due to its popularity, @tattoodjay (of the #wednesdaywalk) and @elizacheng (of #makemesmile) decided to make it a weekly thing.
If you want to know more about the rules, visit this week's post by @tattoodjay where you will find all the rules at the bottom of his post after you've enjoyed his beautiful photos from his walk.
This past weekend, we drove out to the area where you can find the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Northwest of this area is the Waterfall residential area. Before arriving at the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, you cross the Nkutu River over a low-water bridge.
We had severe floods in April of 2022. In July 2022, we drove out to the same area. The road of destruction from the floods was still clearly visible in the area of the low-water bridge.
I took some photos and shared them in a post last year.
But, today, I would like to share some photos from last weekend.
I'll start with a few photos from last year though, to show the comparison between the chaos caused by the power of the water coming down during the floods last year versus the calm little "stream" you currently find when you want to cross through to the other side.
A Few Months After the Floods.
As we arrived there last year, this was the scene in front of us. The water level has come down again, but still, it was a scene of chaos.
A group of 4x4 enthusiasts got together and were busy clearing the debris from the river.
I was admiring the skills of these guys with their 4x4 vehicles, getting into the bush and right up to the river to pull some real heavy stuff out of the water.
The next two photos should give you a good idea of the impact of the floods and how everything in the way of the water just got swept downstream...
Zooming in a bit more to the right...
The photos above were taken on a sunny winter's day in July 2022.
If you want to see more photos of last year's visit, you will be able to see them in this post.
The Peaceful Nkutu River As It Can Be Seen Today.
The following photos were taken this past weekend, on November 5, 2023, on a cloudy and rainy summer's day.
Starting our descent toward the river, I pulled over to take some photos of the surrounding area.
Although the river is not visible from here, I could hear the running water of the river down below me.
That got me wondering what we would find once we got to the low-water bridge at the bottom.
I got back into the car and we followed the winding road down a steep downhill.
And suddenly...there it was...
The low-water bridge with the water of the Nkutu River calmly flowing over it. It almost appears like a little stream...
Looking upstream before crossing the bridge through the water...
I then drove onto the bridge where I brought the car to a standstill, looking upstream again...
In the bottom part of the photo (in the immediate foreground) the road is visible under the water.
And looking left (downstream)...
These photos are of the same area that you can see in the photos from last year. Quite a difference, isn't it?
As you pass through the river, the road makes a sharp bend to the left as you leave the water on the other side.
If you look in the top right area of the next photo, you can see the road following along the river. It runs alongside the river for a few meters before turning away, passing the entrance to the Krantzview Nature Reserve, and then going up the hill on the other side of the gorge.
And with that, we come to the end of today's post.
Thank you for reading my post! I do appreciate it!
The force of the water is impressive and nothing can stop it when floods reach a place. Your photographs recreate the disaster that was. I appreciate you sharing these photographs, and the information about the events that occurred.
Have a beautiful afternoon dear friend @jacoalberts
Hi, @jlufer! Apologies for the late reply. I had a bit of a run-around over the last couple of days.
Yes, the force of the water is impressive indeed! Thank you for your feedback, I do appreciate it!
I hope you are having a great weekend!
What a difference! Amazing to see how the landscape can change from one year to the next. Love the photos 😀
I do agree with you! Last year it was sad to see all the debris coming down the river due to the floods. But this year the scenery is beautiful again!
Thank you for stopping by, @hellsveiah! Have a great day!
Evidently these events greatly change the configuration of the landscape. I hope those floods did not cost human lives.
That river must be beneficial in many ways for the region. Is it? I think so. Then it's a blessing that it has water.
😉
Hi, @nanixxx. Apologies for the late reply... It was a bit of a hectic week...
Unfortunately, there was loss of life during these floods. Last I heard, it was more than 440 people who lost their lives. Homes were destroyed and thousands of people were left homeless as well.
Under normal circumstances, the river is beneficial for the area though.
In my personal opinion, I feel people are allowed to build their houses much too close to the river...normally in informal settlements, as that is where the majority of people lost their lives and homes... downstream in some of the informal settlements.
Thank you for stopping by and for giving feedback and sharing your thoughts. I do appreciate it!
😥😞
I am very sorry for this.
It should not be allowed to build houses in that area.
But if it is the case that it is, people should have a plan of action, of evacuation, let's say, when they see a rainy weather event approaching that inevitably brings rising rivers.
How unfortunate what you are telling me.
I do agree with you 100%!
Sorry for short comments this week I have a lot going on and wont keep up if I try to to do longer replies this week
Thanks for joining the Wednesday Walk :)
No problem! Thanks for stopping by!
👍🙂👍