Disaster management teams in the Western Cape are currently searching for three individuals who were reported missing after heavy overnight downpours.
The region has been hit hard by a severe storm, causing extensive road closures, flooding, and property damage. The South African Weather Service had issued a Level 9 warning, indicating that the impact of the inclement weather was expected to be severe.
The Groot Brakrivier Incident
During a briefing, Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell revealed the heartbreaking news of a person who was swept away in the Groot Brakrivier.
A portion of the road, including the bridge, was washed away with a car on it. Two people were in the vehicle, and tragically, only one person could be saved. The search for the other person is still ongoing, but the outlook is grim.
Missing Persons in Villiersdorp
Bredell also reported that two individuals were reported missing in Villiersdorp. The search efforts are focused on locating these individuals as quickly as possible. The disaster management teams are working tirelessly to find them amidst the challenging conditions caused by the storm.
Extent of Road Closures
The extensive road closures are causing significant disruptions in the affected areas. Bredell expressed concern over this issue, emphasizing that all teams are on standby to address the situation once the storm subsides. The next 12 hours are expected to be extremely challenging as the region copes with the aftermath of the heavy downpours.
Impact on Cape Town
The City of Cape Town has also experienced the devastating effects of the storm. Charlotte Powell, the head of the City’s disaster management, reported several incidents of property damage and flooding. Emergency services officials rescued four people who were trapped in a house in Strand, where the roof had been blown off. Strong winds also caused damage to a dwelling in Hout Bay.
Areas Affected by Flooding
The storm has caused widespread flooding in various areas, including Durbanville, Bo-Kaap, Schaapkraal, Bellville South, Belhar, Sandvlei Macassar, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, and Knorhoek. Informal settlements such as Shukushukma, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Rasta Camp, Riemvasmaak, 7de Laan in Sandvlei, Macassar, Old Faure Road in Driftsands, Mfuleni, and Bellville South have also been affected by flooding.
Efforts to Restore Services
The City of Cape Town is working diligently to restore essential services. City technicians are responding to reports of uprooted trees and fallen branches, ensuring that they are promptly removed to prevent further damage. The Recreation and Parks Department is also actively involved in removing falling trees. The opening of the sluice gate at Wemmershoek Dam aims to mitigate downstream flooding, although the Lourens River and Eerste River have already burst their banks.
Power Outages and Restoration
Storm-related damage has resulted in power outages in various areas, including Philippi, Gugulethu, Eastridge, Steenberg, Wetton, Bellville, Plattekloof, Green Point, and Pinati Estate. The City’s teams are working tirelessly to address these outages as quickly as possible, but the restoration process is challenging due to damaged infrastructure and the ongoing stormy weather. Safety considerations also impact the repair of faults related to damaged overhead lines. Additionally, Eskom’s load shedding can further impact service request volumes and restoration times.
