By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says severity of the weather over the past few days has had a significant impact on our daily lives.
The South African Weather Services issued a level 6 warning for disruptive rain over Cape Town and Winelands ahead of the long weekend.
In addition, the weather service also issued a Level 1 warning for damaging winds, which could cause problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes (N1 Highway) over the city.
Hill-Lewis said,”teams are currently out in high-risk areas to provide assistance to relevant city departments where water needs to be removed.
Spent some time on the ground to visit areas in the City affected by localised flooding ?
I’m so grateful to all our @CityofCT teams still out there working ?
Please continue to report, and use ? 107 (021 480 7700) for emergencies. pic.twitter.com/R9iNm0eK2b
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) June 15, 2023
The city is also providing milling and sand where feasible.”
Cape Town Mayor @geordinhl is on-site in Retreat to assess the extensive flooding in the area.
To report flooding emergencies, contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/UhAqMmfeVK
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
Hill-Lewis added that the city’s Informal Settlements Management Department is assessing all flood-hit areas.
Informal settlements in Philippi, Strand, Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Masiphumelele and Khayelitsha are flooded, said Charlotte Powell, City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson.
She said numerous roadways have been flooded; there was a report of a mudslide along Philip Kgosana Drive; storm-water drain overflows; uprooted trees and mud on road surfaces.
City Team are currently clearing flooding in various areas across the City.
Watch to see how the staff in Heideveld cleared blocked infrastructure and flooded roads.
To report flooding, contact the City’s PEC C on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/Xy1mVbcAw8
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
Images of flooding across Cape Town have also been shared widely on social media.
The aid organisation Gift of the Givers said it was assisting communities along the N1, N2 and N7.
It said its teams were in various townships, including Gugulethu, KTC, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Langa, Bishop Lavis, Mitchells Plain, Grabouw, Chatsworth, Atlantis and Strand.
The organisation’s founder, Imtiaaz Sooliman, said it had donated plastic overalls supplied by the Life Hospital Group, warm meals and blankets.
He added: “We have procured 1 400 blankets this evening in Cape Town, while supplies from our Johannesburg facility are en route. Blankets, mattresses, non-perishable food, hygiene items, sanitary pads, diapers and bottled water will be deeply appreciated. School uniforms, stationery and food parcels will have to follow.”
Meanwhile, Eskom in the Western Cape said electricity restoration efforts continued on Thursday.
“The storms interrupted electricity supply in various municipalities on the West Coast namely Bergrivier, Cederberg, Swartland, Drakenstein and Matzikama,” the utility said in a statement.
“Despite the recent setbacks caused by the storms coupled with the vast and treacherous terrain, Eskom technicians supported by additional teams, continue to work hard to ensure the restoration of supply in the areas affected.”