Heavy flooding has hit Cape Town’s Informal Settlements, displacing hundreds. This has led to emergency aid being activated.

READ MORE: Gift of the Givers to assist flood affected victims

Heavy flooding has hit Cape Town Informal Settlements

Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has mobilised emergency response teams and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) following widespread flooding across several informal settlements. The City has confirmed severe impact in areas such as Vygieskraal and Belgravia, where heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, displacing hundreds of residents.

Over 600 Residents Affected in Vygieskraal Alone

Initial assessments reveal that approximately 269 structures were affected in Vygieskraal, impacting close to 600 residents. In Voël Street, Belgravia, a further 55 structures were flooded. Assessments are ongoing and will resume at first light Thursday.

READ MORE: Heavy rainfall and flash flooding affecting multiple areas across the City

NGO partners, including the Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief, are currently providing humanitarian relief to flood-hit communities. The City’s various departments have also been deployed to manage immediate service requests, including clearing blocked drains, removing debris, and attending to fallen trees.

Infrastructure Damage and Road Closures

In Oranjezicht, a section of the road at Van Riebeeck Park has been washed away. The Roads Department is on-site, working to repair the damage, while City Traffic Services manage detours to ensure commuter safety.

READ MORE: Flooding and severe storms

City officials hope that the evening tide will support storm water drainage, especially in low-lying areas near waterbodies connected to the sea.

Call for Donations: Urgent Relief Needed

The City is calling on residents to support ongoing relief efforts by donating non-perishable food items (such as maize meal, rice, tinned fish, beans, and baby formula) and personal hygiene products.

Donations can be dropped off at any of the following fire stations, which operate 24/7: Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand, and Wynberg.

For large donations or collections, email: Disaster.Donations@capetown.gov.za