On this day in 1981, Laingsburg was devastated by a flood, immersing the whole town in water, only the roofs of the houses were left visible.
425 mm of rain fell in two days. (24th and 25th of January 1981). The average annual rainfall is 175 mm. 104 people died and 184 houses were destroyed. Only 21 houses were undamaged.
Click HERE to read what happen on that day as the disaster unfolded at 15h18. 425mm rain in the Karoo - Does not sound much but we have to remember the shale soil doesn’t absorb much water, most of the rain drained straight into the river.
A six meter high wall of water build up and ripped through Laingsburg, carrying away people, houses and N1 road bridge.
After the flood the town was restored and today there is no sign of the “Day of the Buffalo”
“The memories will remain with those who witnessed and experienced this disaster”
