Relief efforts underway in Cape Town after severe weather impacts communities
Phumla Hontsi's shack is flooded in Khayelitsha.
Image: Photographer Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
Disaster management teams are continuing with relief efforts across the province following two days of heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, said disaster management teams across the province were engaged in humanitarian relief efforts, the distribution of sandbags, clearing of blocked drainage systems, and ongoing impact and damage assessments.
“High-risk areas continue to be low-lying, flood-prone informal settlements and communities near rivers, streams, and storm water channels,” Bredell said.
The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, said no major flooding incidents were reported on Thursday.
“The Disaster Risk Management teams will also continue assessments in the areas where flooding was reported, to determine the extent and the nature of humanitarian relief required,” she said.
“We already have organisations including the Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief providing assistance in Vygieskraal and Belgravia, where collectively, more than 600 people were impacted."
Following severe flooding in Khayelitsha, many residents from the Taiwan informal settlement are now seeking refuge at the Fulani community hall in Site C.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane
Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers' teams said they have been inundated with calls for assistance.
“The first urgent appeals and footage were received from Lwandle and Nomzamo, where close to 1 000 residents have been severely affected,” Gift of the Givers said.
“Requests for help have since flooded in from multiple areas, including Khayelitsha, Du Noon, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Philippi, Philippi East, Mitchells Plain, Chris Nissen Park, Macassar, and Nyanga.
“In the West Coast, the Saldanha Bay Municipality and West Coast Disaster Management have called on our teams after heavy downpours left the entire Middlespos informal settlement submerged, with hundreds of structures underwater."
- The public is reminded to direct any requests for City services via the online platforms or the Customer call centre on 0860 103 089.
- Emergency incidents should be directed to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
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