With the damaging strong south-easterly winds and wet winters that hits the province yearly, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Center has noted a 200% increase in such weather-related responses.
Last year, the team responded to more than 33,000 weather-related incidents between July and December alone. An increase in formal and informal residential fires was also noted.
The Disaster Risk Management Centre says it is working to mitigate the risk of weather or man-made impacts and to drive any response when weather-related impacts occur.
The number of homes affected decreased during the period in review.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, nearly 90,000 people required assistance during the six-month period in 2024. This is triple that of the previous year.
“When SASSA decided to take direct control of humanitarian relief seven years ago, we raised a concern that it would slow down the provision of aid to those in need during times of disaster. That is exactly what has transpired,” added Smith
According to the Mayco member, the City believes that the decentralisation of aid provision will allow municipalities to act more swiftly and decisively in times of need.
The City’s Winter Readiness Task Team has reportedly been meeting twice a week since February, to coordinate mitigation measures before the seasons change.
The Disaster Risk Management Advisory Forum will also receive a seasonal outlook briefing from the South African Weather Service to further inform planning and mitigation before winter arrives.
“Last winter proved one of our most challenging on record. The City is doing all it can to mitigate the potential impacts this year.”
Smith has urged the public to also put in the work to ensure that their properties and environments are adequately secured.
This comes after the South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds over much of the Western Cape from Wednesday evening until Friday.
Strong south-easterly winds starting from 37 to 67km/h were recorded between the City Centre and Sea Point. Meanwhile, gusts of 50 – 90 km/h were reportedly recorded between Saldanha and Plettenberg Bay.
During such conditions, residents are urged to secure objects on their properties that could be carried by the wind, like outside furniture, and to be mindful of potential damage to garage doors, sliding doors and windows.
The conditions can also lead to difficulty in navigation at sea for smaller vessels, and owners of such vessels are advised to seek shelter and stay away from the open sea.
Any weather-related emergency can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
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