Western Cape authorities on high alert following inclement weather

Western Cape authorities are on high alert, following inclement weather experienced in the province, which is set to persist throughout the week.

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In a statement, the Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Department, said significant incidents recorded in the province include:

·        Flooding downstream of the Wemmershoek dam.

·        In Somerset West, the Lourens River burst its banks, impacting on the Somerset West Eskom substation. The City of Cape Town and Eskom are currently working to restore power in the Helderberg area.

·        In Cape Town the Jakkalsvlei Canal burst its bank, leading to flooding of the Johnson and Johnson factory in Tokai.

·        Various informal settlements in Delft, Philippi, Strand, Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Masiphumelele and Khayelitsha have also been flooded.

·        Large parts of Overstrand municipality is also without electricity as a result of electrical pylons collapsing in the mountains surrounding the area.

MEC Anton Bredell, said the current heavy rain over large parts of the Western Cape is causing localised flooding throughout the province.

“We are also providing people in at-risk areas with regular updated information on the situation. If you are experiencing flooding or observe flooding of infrastructure in your community, please reach out to your local authority for assistance. We have requested our non-governmental organisation partners to provide humanitarian relief to those affected in informal communities.’’

Bredell said the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre (PDMC) is on standby to deal with further impacts, when more inclement weather is set to move over the province.

“All units have been placed on a high state of readiness to assist where necessary. Ongoing monitoring of the situation is being done together with the South African Weather Services and the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Dam Safety unit,’’ said Anton Bredell, Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC.

 

Done By: Mitchum George