Fifteen thousand people were affected by the adverse weather ravaging the Cape, leaving about 4 500 people displaced.
The Western Cape Government briefed the media on Wednesday on
its response to the inclement weather which affected parts of the province. The
coastal province experienced four consecutive days of rain.
COURTESY: X - @WCGov_InfraHead of the Western Cape’s Disaster Risk Management, Colin
Deiner, says the figure of those displaced could change, as some people, he
says, go to alternative accommodation other than those provided by the provincial
government.
Additionally, 14 000 structures were damaged in the Cape
metro with several roads flooded.
The inclement weather also saw electricity outages with 11
000 faults across the Province. Retreat Clinic’s boundary wall was damaged, but
the department says temporary fencing was provided
‘’Electricity faults are being reduced. However, 11 000
people are still without Eskom power in numerous areas, including Citrusdal, De
Doorns and Touwsrivier. In Delft, around 1 500 Eskom customers are without
electricity. The power utility is working hard to restore power,’’ said Deiner.
Western Cape Social Development MEC, Jco Londt, says his
department is coordinating humanitarian relief efforts for affected communities.
‘’Partner NGOs like Gift of the Givers Foundation, The
Warehouse Foundation, Ashraful Aid, Al-Imdaad Foundation, Islamic Relief SA,
and the Community Chest of the Western Cape. The department will also provide
psychosocial support where needed.’’
Furthermore, the Western Cape’s Education Department (WCED) announced that all schools in Cape Town, Cape Winelands and Overberg districts, and parts of West Coast district will be closed tomorrow, and will reopen again on Friday. This comes as more than 130 schools have reported infrastructure damage.
“This was not an easy decision to make but our teams would
rather be overly cautious. It is in the interests of learner and teacher safety
that schools in these areas close for the day,’’ said Alan Winde, Western Cape
Premier.
As much as the rain has caused havoc across the province,
it has seen dam levels significantly increasing. Clanwilliam Dam is
currently at 90,89%; The Berg River Dam has increased to 104, 06%;
Theewaterskloof Dam is at 76%; The Misverstand Dam has risen to 161%
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) also recorded 61
millimetres of rainfall in Paarl; 52.8 millimetres for Stellenbosch; 59 millimetres
for Ceres; and 57 millimetres for Wellington.
Winde says a controlled release of water from Wemmershoek
Dam into the Berg River was carried out as a precautionary measure.
‘’This controlled release is necessary to reduce the risk
of flooding downstream.’’
Several roads has also been partially or completely closed.
SAWS has issued a Level 8 weather warning for disruptive
rain for the Western Cape on Thursday.
🌧️Weather & severe weather alerts for tomorrow, 11 July 2024.
As well as the weather outlook for Friday & Saturday, 12 - 13 July 2024.#saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/cPJuNPWpLU
Done By: Mitchum George
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