Khayelitsha informal dwellings waterlogged following heavy rains

Imogen Vollenhoven
27 May 2013

Heavy rainfall that was experienced over weekend resulted in Khayelitsha residents waterlogged.

Disaster Risk Management Spokesperson Mandy Thomas said these informal settlements were erected illegally in a floodplain area and during the winter season the high water table rises and submerge the ground surface, resulting in pondering of water and causing discomfort in the area.

Thomas explains that the people in the Endlovi informal settlement, around 1,320 were affected and 330 households.

“The residents living in the informal settlement, illegally erected their structures in a floodplain area,” said Thomas.

She added that the City’s Disaster response teams are currently busy with assessments and will at a later stage issue flood kits to the victims and at this stage their NGO’s are providing residents with disaster relief aid.