---
title: "Citrusdal hit hard by heavy Western Cape rains, floods"
description: "Lashing rains battered the Western Cape between 14 and 19 June, causing mudslides, flooding and the displacement of many residents. The small town of Citrusdal, known for producing oranges, was cut off for days after the Olifants River washed away the main entrance from the N7 leading into the town."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Brenton Geach"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/brenton-geach/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-22-citrusdal-hit-hard-by-heavy-western-cape-rains-floods/"
published: "2023-06-22T20:31:34"
updated: "2023-06-22T20:31:38"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 279
---

# Citrusdal hit hard by heavy Western Cape rains, floods

> Lashing rains battered the Western Cape between 14 and 19 June, causing mudslides, flooding and the displacement of many residents. The small town of Citrusdal, known for producing oranges, was cut off for days after the Olifants River washed away the main entrance from the N7 leading into the town.

By Brenton Geach · Published 22 June 2023, 22:31 SAST · Updated 22 June 2023, 22:31 SAST

## Key points
- After days of flooding, the Olifants River left its mark on Citrusdal, with access only via a winding gravel road and citrus trees submerged in water.
- Roads closed, bridges washed away
- 90 min journey to town via gravel road
- Flooded citrus trees and no electricity in shops
- Food parcels and blankets delivered to those cut off DM

## Content

When our team arrived a few days after the initial flooding, the road was still closed. All bridges over the Olifants River had been washed away.

The only access was via a narrow gravel road from Clanwilliam that meandered precariously across the mountain along the river. It took more than 90 minutes to get to the town.

None of the shops had electricity and the streets were full of people milling about, unsure of what to do. Most of the citrus trees alongside the Olifants River were under water.

Flying over the area on a food drop-off with Gift of the Givers, sections of the swollen river came into view. Food parcels and blankets were delivered to those whose access to the N7 had been cut off. **DM**

![Vuyoluethu Mjoli outside his flooded home in the informal settlement of Mnyamandawo, Citrusdal. (Photo Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Nr9dBo1nfuFYvhqQEeIaBGPVTpM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-02-1.jpg)

*Vuyoluethu Mjoli outside his flooded home in the informal settlement of Mnyamandawo, Citrusdal. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![A trucks dumps sand on the flooded road, one of the main entrances to the town. 20 June 2023. Photo Brenton Geach](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DI7-_ZKDeXjpfrRL35e3ZYoz5U8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-03-1.jpg)

*A truck dumps sand on the flooded road, one of the main entrances to the town, 20 June 2023. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![The Mnyamandawo informal settlement along the banks of the Olifants River in Citrusdal. (Photo Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LU7q5d96GZ_WqBxbKsaIzkRQodA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-04-1.jpg)

*The Mnyamandawo informal settlement along the banks of the Olifants River in Citrusdal. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![The Western Cape Government , Gift of the Givers , West Coast disaster Risk Management ,SANDF and Cederberg Fire Protection Assocation organised a humanitarian aid mission to remote areas aound Cirusdal that were cut off . Photo Brenton Geach](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/6FJEhsD33JYpvzdmy-vz4DTvZW8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-05-1.jpg)

*The Western Cape government, Gift of the Givers, West Coast disaster Risk Management, the SANDF and Cederberg Fire Protection Association organised a humanitarian aid mission to remote areas around Citrusdal that were cut off. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![Blankets and food parcels from Gift of The Givers  at Doringbos, which was  flown in by helicopter as Doringbos  was cut off from the rest of the world due to flooding .21 June 2023. Photo Brenton Geach](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/j9LQCF6ytfGJEYfMvNcO6vPOobc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-06-1.jpg)

*Blankets and food parcels from Gift of the Givers at Doringbos, which were flown in by helicopter as Doringbos was cut off from the rest of the world due to flooding, 21 June 2023. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![Water logged farms along the banks of the Olifants River in Citrusdal. Photo Brenton Geach](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Cwo1G_-Kd7NnFutO-bPpBb9fWzM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-10-1.jpg)

*Water-logged farms along the banks of the Olifants River in Citrusdal. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*

![A general view of the Olifants  in Citrusdal river which caused mass flooding . 21 June 2023. Photo Brenton Geach](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AQbGAWqe3z7nrwuliPF6qhL_zns=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/photo-essay-Geach-flooding-11-1.jpg)

*The Olifants River, 21 June 2023. (Photo: Brenton Geach)*