Level 8 weather warning wreaks havoc across the Cape

The level 8 warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is in full effect as the Cape of Storms wreaks havoc across the province.

Roads are a mess, as it is either flooded or partially closed. Trees has also been uprooted due to the severe storm. The number of affected roads is set to increase during the cause of Thursday. Motorists are asked to drive with caution.

PHOTO: Social media - Roads flooded on Merrydale Avenue, Mitchell's Plain

Apart from flooded and obstructed roadways, there have also been reports of flooding in a number of residential areas, and power outages, as strong winds damage electricity infrastructure. Social media posts doing the rounds showing roofs being blown off in Wynberg overnight. The City of Cape Town says four houses have been affected on the corner of Sussex and Bute Roads.

‘’The Disaster Management Centre can confirm that the City’s Fire & Rescue Service received an emergency call at approximately 23:20 last night, of roofs blown off in Wynberg, and damage to overhead electrical wires. Crews from Constantia responded to the incident,’’ said Sonica Lategan, City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson.

‘’Fire Services staff remained on site until the wind died down at approximately 04:30, to ensure there were no further impacts. Further investigations and assessments will be undertaken this morning by the Disaster Risk Management Centre,’’ she added.

PHOTO: Social media

Meanwhile, SASSA announced that its Regional & Local Offices in the Western Cape will be closed on Thursday, due to the inclement weather. Operations, it says, will resume as normal from Friday. Schools in the province are also shut for the day.

Human Settlements Minister, Mmakolo Kubayi, will visit disaster-affected areas such as Khayelitsha, Nkandla, Zami Mpilo, Kuyasa and Victoria Mxenge areas in the province today. The visit aims to assess the progress of disaster management interventions.

Furthermore, the public are also urged to refrain from sharing social media posts, videos and photographs without verifying them. This comes as old clips have resurfaced.

Taxi Association, Codeta, confirmed to Bush Radio News that its minibus taxi’s will operate throughout the day. This comes as social media posts from a false CODETA Facebook page suggested that taxi’s will only operate until 1p.m on Thursday.

‘’I am responding to the circulating statement that we will not be operating this afternoon, which is false. We also want to ensure our commuters that everything that comes from our office should have a CODETA letterhead and a relevant signature at the bottom. We ensure to  render our services to the commuters. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,’’ said Makhosandile Tumana, CODETA’s Public Relations Officer.

 

Done By: Mitchum George