Flooding expected at newly formed informal settlements this winter

The City of Cape Town says it is expecting an increase of flooding incidents this winter, especially at newly formed informal settlements.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, said there has been an increase in informal settlements due to Covid-19 and lockdown.

“As with most cities in South Africa, informality is a pronounced feature due to increased urbanisation, which has been made worse by the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19 and the lockdown,” said Booi.

NEW INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AT RISK OF FLOODING

Booi said, in a statement, it was difficult to deliver basic and emergency services without any dedicated emergency access due to unlawful occupations.

“This winter season will likely be particularly difficult for us and our residents due to increased informality brought on by the unlawful occupations. The high densities without planned and dedicated emergency access ways make it difficult to deliver basic and emergency services in particularly times of fire and floods,” he said.

He added that, often informal settlements are formed on private land or on land where services cannot or may not be delivered.

“The demand for accommodation brings about a number of specific challenges, such as unplanned settlements that are located on flood-prone, lower lying areas or in wetlands or retention ponds.”

New settlements has reportedly been established on flood-prone land in many parts of the metro such as Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein and Mfuleni.

TIPS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF HEAVY RAINS

The City encourages residents living in informal settlements to help reduce the impact of flooding.

The City’s Human Settlement’s Directorate spent approximately 98% of its budget in the 2019/2020 financial year but the need remains immense.

How can you reduce the risk of flooding?

• Clear out drainage systems
• Raise the floor level of a structure so that it is higher than the natural ground level
• Make sandbags
• Dig trenches around the house to divert water away from the house
• Report blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping – illegal dumping in the stormwater canals and sewers make flooding worse
• Waterproof roofs, clear gutters and remove dead tree branches

Emergencies can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021-480-7700 from a mobile phone.

READ: Flooding and heavy rain affects over 4 000 homes in Western Cape