City launches huge flood clean-up operations

By Celeste Ganga
02 August 2007

Thousands of municipal workers have been positioned throughout the Cape Flats to mop up flood damage caused by the latest heavy rainfall.

“The City is trying its best to reach all flood-ravaged settlements as quickly as possible, but resources are spread quite thin,” says Director of Development Services, Noahmaan Hendericks.

Hendericks adds that they appeal to affected communities to exercise patience.

“About 25% of the city’s 226 informal settlements were affected by the recent flooding,” adds Hendericks.

He adds that this is a vast improvement on 2001, when over 80% of all informal settlements were swamped by the winter storms.

“The improved situation is due to the City’s installation of better drainage systems, more regular cleansing operations and ongoing public education programmes,” says Hendericks.

In the last financial year, the City’s Transport, Roads and Stormwater Department spent R32 million on flood risk reduction measures.