Roofs blown off, uprooted trees, DLTC closed, as Cape Town experiences heavy rain

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says it is managing the response to the prevailing inclement weather. This comes after severe weather conditions, especially gale-force winds were reported in Cape Town this weekend.

The Somerset Mall has been closed due to blown off roof sheeting. Reports on Sunday of similar incidents from Somerset West, Macassar, Mitchells Plain and Clifton, were also received.

PHOTO - Social media: Somerset Mall

‘’To date, 23 reports have been received relating to roof damages in a number of areas including Delft, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Somerset West, and commercial properties in Strand. Another report has also just been received of roofs blown off in New Zone in Nomzamo. At least 13 structures have been affected,’’ said Charlotte Powell, City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson.

‘’The Electricity department is attending to power outages in several areas. Enforcement agencies are attending to intersections affected by the power outages and minor flooding of roadways in Gordon’s Bay and Elsies River . Various roadways are flooded across the city - the Roads & Stormwater Department is assisting with unblocking of drains and clearing roadways.’’

‘’DRM is making assessments in high-risk informal settlements in Strand, Mfuleni and Khayelitsha. Roads & Stormwater have been issuing sandbags on request in certain areas. Officials are also conducting post-fire assessments in Fisantekraal, Wallacedene and Bloekombos. Somerset West mall remains closed due to wind damage. Engineers will make an assessment this morning,’’ added Powell.

Meanwhile, some Driving Licence Testing Centre’s had to close on Monday. The Gordon’s Bay Driving Licence Testing Centre is closed, due to a weather-related electricity outage. The Somerset West Driving Licence Testing Centre too is closed until further notice due to wind-damage over the weekend.

‘’It is unclear when the supply [at the Gordon’s Bay Driving Licence Testing Centre] will be restored. The management teams at the facilities will be in touch with learner and driving licence applicants to reschedule their appointments,’’ said Maxine Bezuidenhout, City of Cape town Traffic Services spokesperson.

‘’Cape Town Traffic Service apologises for any inconvenience caused. Any persons in the affected areas who urgently require DLTC services are advised that the nearest facilities are Kuils River and Lingelethu West,’’ she added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George