The City of Cape Town says it is continuing efforts to assist flood-impacted regions following last week’s heavy rains, while teams are on standby for the disruptive rains to come.
This is as the South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain expected to make landfall on Thursday, and could potentially result in localised flooding of roads and vulnerable settlements.
Heavy rains are forecasted for the Cape Winelands, Cape Town, parts of the West Coast, and Theewaterskloof.
The upcoming weather calls for continued relief for impacted residents. Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, says more than 10 000 flood kits (and other assistance) has been already been provided to those affected, but admits that more will need to be done.
“The scale and severity of recent storms have been unparalleled, but we have been able to help where we can with kits, relocations carried out, and milling material delivered to soak up the water where possible. With even more rainfall expected over the next few days, our teams are on standby to assist further.”
Pophaim says teams (comprising of the Human Settlements Directorate, Disaster Risk Management, Basic Service, and Safety and Security) will continue its focus on flood-prone regions – such as settlements along dams, wetlands and water catchment areas.
He adds that his directorate has been working to identify areas that are at high risk of flooding, and creating a practical plan to move residents from these areas to safer ones.
Meanwhile, assessments of the damage cause by last week’s floods is still ongoing.
Roughly 37 areas were affected, including Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Nomzamo, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mfuleni, Tafelsig, and Vygieskraal, Ocean View.
READ MORE: Cape storms declared a disaster, more heavy rain this weekend
Pophaim says the City is currently compiling lists of those needing assistance, which will be sent to the national ministry. But adds that there are some challenges in obtaining assistance from the national level.
“The City continues to advocate for the disaster mandate and funding to be devolved to the City as a competent government so that the City can again provide more direct relief, in shorter spaces of time, as was the case until a few years ago.”
In the meantime, Pophaim calls on residents to assist with donations and to support relief organisations.
Storm-Related Donation Drop-Off Points:
- Goodwood Fire Station
- Lakeside Fire Station
- Ottery Fire Station
- Roeland Street Fire Station
- Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station
- Strand Fire Station
