Flooding after heavy rain at the Waterfront informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town on 10 June 2020. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp.
Cape Town residents are urged to exercise caution as the South African Weather Service issues a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall.
Flooding after heavy rain at the Waterfront informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town on 10 June 2020. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in Cape Town, Western Cape. Other parts of the province, which have been affected by flooding recently, also have active advisories, with several municipalities in the Cape Winelands under a Level 7 warning.
The disruptive rainfall warning is valid from midnight until 15:59 on Saturday, 17 June.
The potential impact of the disruptive rain in Cape Town includes flooding of roads and both formal and informal settlements – this could damage property and infrastructure.
With an increase in motor vehicle accidents, traffic disruptions are likely, and essential services such as water and electricity may also be affected.
“Mudslides and rock falls may also occur in susceptible areas. Some communities could be temporarily inaccessible. Danger to life due to fast-flowing streams,” said the weather service.
All the mentioned weather-based impacts have been experienced in Cape Town and surrounding areas this week. The disruptive rain is associated with a series of passing cold fronts affecting the Cape provinces.
These are guidelines provided by the weather service to the general public during heavy rainfall that may cause disruptions:
Exercise caution when travelling on roads and avoid crossing rivers and streams that have risen above ankle level.
The Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) said the weather conditions could lead to localised flooding due to the level ground saturation from the rainfall in recent days.
The Centre is continuing with mop-up operations across the City, including unblocking drains and removing debris.
City Departments will be on standby for any weather-related impacts that occur as a result of the next bout of rainfall.
DRMC tips for flood preparedness, mitigation, and prevention:
In case of weather-related emergencies, contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 (cellphone) or 107 (landline).
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