SEVERE weather conditions in Cape Town have led to flooding in 26 informal areas, with six reported fatalities and over 40,000 people affected.
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SEVERE weather conditions in Cape Town have led to flooding in 26 informal areas, with six reported fatalities and over 40,000 people affected. The City is working with humanitarian partners to provide relief and assess the damage
According to the South African Weather Service, between 150mm and 200mm of rainfall has already been recorded in some mountainous areas.
The Provincial Department of Health and Wellness confirmed a total of six weather-related fatalities since the first cold front made landfall last week.
The deaths are as follows: in Knysna, a tree fell over. In Wynberg, Cape Town, a tree fell over. In George, a tree fell over. In Worcester, the victim fell off the roof. In Genadendal, a tree fell over. In Klaarstroom, Meiringspoort, one person drowned.
The City of Cape Town’s spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management, Charlotte Powell, said while assessments are ongoing, to date, data shows that 10,703 structures have sustained weather-related impacts, affecting approximately 41,635 people.
“We are working closely with our humanitarian relief partners who have already started assisting with meals and blankets in some of the affected areas – this relief will be extended as assessments are concluded,” Powell said.
She said findings of the assessments are being submitted to Sassa, as the agency mandated to provide humanitarian assistance, as well as the National Department of Human Settlements.
“In terms of infrastructure impacts, multiple roads have been flooded across the metropole, with some incidents impacting surrounding properties. The Roads and Infrastructure Management Department is attending to these incidents – areas that have already been attended to include Phola Park, Fisantekraal, Bonteheuwel, Parow, Bellville, and Hout Bay.
Teams are also continuing efforts to restore electricity outages in affected areas and clear trees that have been uprooted or lost branches due to the strong winds,” Powell said.
She said weather conditions are expected to ease on Tuesday.
“We remind the public to please report service requests via the City’s various channels: The Call Centre on 0860 103 089 or online via the City website or the City App. Incidents that pose an immediate threat to life or property should be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700,” Powell said.
Several roadways remain flooded due to persistent downpours.
The City’s Traffic Services spokesperson, Kevin Jacobs, said Borcherd’s Quarry from the N2 incoming is closed, as well as Old Mamre and Darling towards Atlantis between Philadelphia and Klein Dassenberg.
“Some affected roads have lane closures in place, and we ask that motorists please exercise caution and look out for any obstructions on their journey. Please reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on to increase visibility, and increase your following distance,” Jacobs said.
He said traffic lights have also been affected in various parts of the city.
“A reminder to treat affected intersections as four-way stops by allowing other vehicles to proceed if they got there first and giving everyone a fair opportunity to cross safely. Our Driving Licence Testing Centres are all open today; however, some facilities have sustained damage because of the weather, while a few continue to struggle with intermittent network connectivity. We ask the public to please be mindful of these challenges when visiting a DTLC, and to defer non-essential visits until the weather clears, where possible,” Jacobs said.