Wednesday, June 24, 2015

City urges residences to gear up for heavy weather

Mbasa Gqokoma
24 June 2015

The City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Directorate has urged residents to put measures in place to decrease the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.

Over a week ago more than 3 600 people were affected by flooding across the Cape Peninsula with 1 500 structures damaged.

City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements Benedicta van Minnen said the Cities Human Settlement’s Directorate urges residents who resides in low lying flood areas to help reduce the flooding risk with a number of mechanisms, including raising the floors of their home so that they are higher than the natural ground level.

Communities in the informal settlements can contact the cities call centre on 0860 103 089 to request sand to raise their levels to keep water out of their dwellings.

Meannwhile, the City of Cape Town has emphasised that while it has done all it can to mitigate the impact of the winter season, flooding and mudslides may still occur due to variable climatic conditions.

“The City’s Benedicta van Minnen who gives advice on overflowing of drainage systems said, we also appeal to residences to assist by clearing up drainage systems, moving to higher ground if they stay in flood flat areas and report blocked drains and illegal dumping and clearing gutters by removing tree branches” van Minnen added.

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