Devastating floods displace thousands in Cape Town's informal settlements

Heavy downpours overnight have left thousands of residents displaced and roads submerged, with widespread damage reported across parts of the Cape Flats and surrounding suburbs.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said assessments are currently under way following the rain, with teams deployed to determine the full extent of the damage and type of assistance required.

“Reports have been received from several areas, including Mfuleni, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha,” said Powell. “We can confirm that the Vygieskraal canal burst its banks, resulting in flooding on some roads in the Athlone/Belgravia area.”

A significant impact was reported in the Vygieskraal informal settlement, where approximately 500 structures were flooded, affecting an estimated 2,000 residents.

Around 200 structures in Haji Ebrahim Crescent were affected, impacting 1,000 people, and a further 150 RDP homes in the same area left an estimated 750 residents displaced.

Powell said the city’s Disaster Risk Management Centre had requested support in the form of sandbags and milling, plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets, and hot meals for affected residents.

In response to heavy downpours that have affected over 10,000 residents across various informal settlements and Cape Flats areas, Gift of the Givers has mobilised an urgent humanitarian response.

Project coordinator Ali Sablay said: “SOS calls and WhatsApp messages have been flooding in since the early hours of this morning, many accompanied by distressing images showing extensive damage to homes and widespread food contamination.

“Since the early hours of this morning, SOS calls and messages have been flooding in, many accompanied by distressing images showing extensive damage to homes and widespread food contamination.”

Their teams have been deployed to assist residents in Khayelitsha, Langa, Gugulethu, KTC, Nyanga, Philippi, Philippi East, Heideveld, Chris Nissan Park, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Valhalla Park, and Mfuleni.

“Following the successful distribution of aid to over 30,000 flood-affected residents last week, we have reinforced our efforts by bringing in additional supplies, including blankets, warm clothing, and beanies to support those left vulnerable by the storm,” the organisation stated.

“Our dedicated teams will remain on the ground for the next three days, with the potential to extend our operations should the torrential rains persist.”

Weather-related power outages were also reported in Langa, Athlone, Crawford, and Rondebosch. The city’s Energy Department has been dispatched to restore electricity.

Traffic disruptions were minimal on Saturday morning, with only one major route affected.

“The Borchard's Quarry link from the N2 incoming is closed this morning as a result of flooding,” said Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs. “There are currently no other incidents to report.”

Jacobs added that while localised flooding occurred on roads late Friday afternoon and evening, most had cleared either through natural drainage or city interventions.

“There is more light rain in the forecast, so we renew our appeal to road users to exercise caution,” he said. “Drive with your headlights on, reduce speed, and increase your following distance. Also, refrain from drinking and driving.”

Residents were urged to report road obstructions or safety incidents to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.

Meanwhile, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, reminded funeralgoers and undertakers that cemetery operations may be impacted by the weather.

“While no major disruptions have occurred so far, we have in the past seen that heavy downpours can affect the water tables, which can affect essential cemetery operations, like digging graves or reopening family graves for second burials,” said Higham.

She urged cemetery visitors to take extra care, particularly on waterlogged ground.

“Our cemeteries are incredibly busy, especially over weekends, and this weekend is no exception, with dozens of burials planned for Saturday and Sunday,” she said. “We encourage those planning funerals to consider Sunday or weekday burials to reduce congestion.”

The city also issued a renewed warning about illegal stormwater connections into the sewer network, which can cause sewer overflows during heavy rainfall.

“Sewer systems are designed to carry wastewater from homes, not rainwater from roofs,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

“When these systems are overloaded with rainwater, they cannot cope and overflows occur.”

Badroodien said residents should ensure gutters are correctly connected and stormwater is directed into appropriate channels.

“Every household can make a difference. We urge residents to check their gutter connections and redirect stormwater to the correct drains. This simple action helps protect our communities, infrastructure, and the environment,” he said.

“Preventing overflows is a shared responsibility. By making sure stormwater does not enter the sewer system, residents are actively helping the city safeguard public health and protect our environment.” 

He advised residents to manage excess rainwater by channelling it to garden areas or into the road for entry into the stormwater system. Alternatively, rainwater can be collected for garden use, helping to conserve water.

“Illegal cross-connections cause sewer overflows,” said Badroodien.

“If you discover that your property’s stormwater gutters are illegally connected to the sewer system, it is important to take action. Contact a registered plumber, qualified builder, or reliable handyman to help correct the connection and ensure compliance with municipal by-laws.”

According to the Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law, no person may discharge rainwater into the sewer system. These cross-connections often occur on private properties, where rainwater from roofs, gutters, or paved surfaces is misdirected into the sewer.

Water and sanitation-related service requests can be reported online at [www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests](http://www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests), via email to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), by SMS to 31373 (160 characters), by calling 0860 103 089, or by visiting a city walk-in centre.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA launched an urgent appeal for supplies after rescuing animals left freezing and exposed in severe weather conditions.

The South African Weather Service issued a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain earlier this week, following a Level 2 alert the previous week.

Spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the “rain-on-rain” conditions have resulted in widespread flooding in low-lying areas, leaving both people and animals at risk.

“Conditions aren’t just uncomfortable, they are life-threatening for animals without shelter.

“We’re finding animals chained in the freezing rain, drenched and shivering, with no protection in multiple communities. These animals are all being brought into the SPCA, but there are others out there who won’t survive unless we reach them in time.”

The SPCA is the only animal welfare organisation formally integrated into the City of Cape Town’s emergency operations. Its first responders are currently deployed across several storm-affected areas to locate and rescue animals in distress.

However, with more animals expected to arrive at the shelter over the coming days, the organisation has made an urgent request to the public for donations to help care for them.

Items urgently needed include warm blankets, towels, and dry or wet dog and cat food.

“Our community’s kindness has always been the difference between suffering and safety for Cape Town’s animals,” said Abraham.

“We’re asking everyone who can to help us with donations of towels, blankets, and dry and wet cat and dog food.”

The SPCA said it is preparing for a significant influx of animals and emphasised that donations, no matter how small, will help provide critical support for those rescued during the cold front.

Members of the public are encouraged to deliver donations directly to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA at the corner of 1st Avenue and First Road in Grassy Park.

For those wishing to arrange large donations or enquire further, the SPCA can be contacted on 021 700 4140 / 4141 / 4158 or via email at [email protected]

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