Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has announced that all schools in areas affected by severe weather conditions will be closed on Monday. The affected areas include the Overberg region, Cape Winelands, and Helderberg.
The decision to close schools was made after the South African Weather Service issued a level 9 warning for damaging winds and heavy rain in many parts of the province.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Premier Winde highlighted incidents such as roofs being blown off buildings and falling trees, which pose a risk to students. He referred to previous incidents, such as the major fires across the Garden Route, where high winds caused school roofs to come off. These incidents have informed the decision to prioritize student safety.
Premier Winde outlined plans to address the inclement weather conditions in the province. The disaster management services will remain on high alert to respond to any major incidents that may occur. This proactive approach aims to minimize the impact of the severe weather on the community.
A message on responses by the Western Cape Government and municipalities to the impact of the severe weather. 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/QzQKQ0Fj2L
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) April 7, 2024
Rudzani Malala from the South African Weather Service expressed satisfaction with the government’s alert levels.
While the damage from the current weather conditions is starting to be evident, the focus now shifts to the strong winds expected on Monday and the amount of rainfall that will be received. The South African Weather Service is confident in the level of alertness and preparedness for the upcoming weather events.
