Cape Town, July 12, 2024 – Cape Town is preparing for more stormy weather after several days of strong winds and heavy rain have wreaked havoc across the city.
The adverse conditions have displaced hundreds, flooded homes, and uprooted trees, with close to 33,000 dwellings affected in both informal settlements and suburban areas, according to the city’s disaster management center.
Emergency services have been mobilized to assist those impacted by the severe weather. Essentials such as meals, blankets, mattresses, roof sheeting, and hygiene packs are being distributed to the hardest-hit communities as the city faces biting winds and plummeting temperatures.
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “We have a huge humanitarian situation to deal with, and all authorities are working together to address this.”
Children embrace the storm’s chaos, boogie boarding on rain-soaked hills in Cape Town.The ongoing rain has also led to significant concerns about flooding, as all major catchment dams in the city are either full or nearing capacity.
The Western Cape government has issued warnings about the Breede River in Swellendam, which is currently flowing at more than 1,000 cubic meters per second and is at risk of breaching its banks. In Laingsburg, the Floriskraal Dam has reached 118% capacity, prompting alerts to downstream communities about potential flooding.
The South African Weather Service has forecasted further challenges, with a cold front expected to bring strong to near gale-force winds of 40 to 60 kph between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Sunday.
Wave heights of up to five meters are anticipated on Saturday morning, leading authorities to advise ships at Cape Town port to take necessary precautions.
Despite the destruction, some residents have found moments of joy in the chaos. Videos circulating online show youngsters playing in flooded streets, with some even boogie boarding down waterlogged hills, demonstrating the resilience of the Cape Town community amidst the ongoing storm.