Heavy rains and cold weather continue to grip the Western Cape, with localised flooding reported across the province. While no major overnight flooding incidents were recorded in Cape Town, emergency and disaster response teams remain on high alert as the effects of the storm system persist into Thursday.

Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, confirmed that weather warnings remain in place.

“The cold and wet weather is set to continue today, and the public must stay alert and keep safe during the winter weather,” said Bredell.

He added that disaster teams are actively “engaged in humanitarian relief efforts, distribution of sandbags, clearing of blocked drainage systems, and ongoing impact and damage assessments.”

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 4 warning for damaging waves and Level 2 warnings for disruptive rainfall and strong winds, particularly along the Overberg and Garden Route coastlines.

In the Cape Winelands, the overflowing Breede River has resulted in the closure of the Slanghoek and Scherpenheuwel bridges and Slanghoek Road. Parts of Worcester and Drakenstein have also reported localised flooding.

Cape Town has seen the brunt of the weather system with stormwater disruptions and flooding in both formal and informal settlements. Despite this, Disaster Risk Management officials say the situation has stabilised since Wednesday night.

“No major flooding incidents have been reported overnight; all services will continue to work on incidents reported to date,” said City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan on Thursday morning.

Relief organisations including the Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief are on the ground in some of the hardest-hit areas.

“Already we have organisations including the Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief providing assistance in Vygieskraal and Belgravia, where collectively, more than 600 people were impacted,” Lategan confirmed.

The City has called on the public to assist with relief efforts through the donation of non-perishable food items.

“Any donations of non-perishable goods can be dropped off at the seven fire stations that have been designated as drop-off points: Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg,” said Lategan.

Weather conditions are expected to improve slightly.

“The rain is expected to abate by afternoon, with more light showers expected from tomorrow,” said Lategan.

Residents are urged to use official channels for service queries.

IOL News

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