WATCH: Floods wreak havoc in Western Cape
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says disaster teams are working to mitigate the impact of flooding and severe weather in several parts of the city.
The South African Weather Services issued a level 6 warning for disruptive rain over Cape Town and the Winelands area ahead of the long weekend.
The city's officials were attending to areas affected by the floods and power outages from Thursday morning.
Hill-Lewis says dams that supply Cape Town with drinking water saw a sharp increase and stood at 86,1% by Thursday afternoon.
He says three gates have been opened to release water from Wemmershoek Dam into the linking rivers for safety reasons.
"This intensive, co-ordinated phased operation was done carefully since Tuesday in consultation with neighbouring municipalities to mitigate the risk of damage to properties downstream. The city is monitoring all its dams closely," he says.
At least 25 areas across the metro have experienced storm-related outages since the start of the week.
Hill-Lewis says the city’s Informal Settlements Management Department is also assessing all flood-hit areas.
"Teams are currently out in high-risk areas to provide assistance to relevant city departments where water needs to be removed.
"NGOs are further assisting with humanitarian relief for residents of affected informal settlements, among them the Mother Soup Kitchen and Ashraful Aid International.
The city is also providing milling and sand where feasible."
Meanwhile, Eskom in the Western Cape said electricity restoration efforts continued on Thursday.
"The storms interrupted electricity supply in various municipalities on the West Coast namely Bergrivier, Cederberg, Swartland, Drakenstein and Matzikama," the utility said in a statement.
"Despite the recent setbacks caused by the storms coupled with the vast and treacherous terrain, Eskom technicians supported by additional teams, continue to work hard to ensure the restoration of supply in the areas affected."
Spent some time on the ground to visit areas in the City affected by localised flooding 🌊
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) June 15, 2023
I’m so grateful to all our @CityofCT teams still out there working 👏
Please continue to report, and use 📲 107 (021 480 7700) for emergencies. pic.twitter.com/R9iNm0eK2b
Various City departments continue to engage in efforts to attend to weather-related flooded roadways and uprooted trees.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
To report emergencies contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/y8u4wisorp
Update: I’ve just visited the Keyser River where @CityofCT teams are cutting channels into the wetland to allow for faster water runoff.
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) June 15, 2023
This will help drain water faster upstream where areas are waterlogged. pic.twitter.com/vQGVLYFzNK
Cape Town Mayor @geordinhl is on-site in Retreat to assess the extensive flooding in the area.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
To report flooding emergencies, contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/UhAqMmfeVK
[Watch] Today, the City's Fire & Rescue Services rescued three men from the Parow Canal.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
The swift water rescue happened at the corners of Jan Van Riebeeck and Cloete Streets where fast-flowing water in the canal adjacent to the railway trapped the three men on a ledge.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/mOjUhSQ6AH
City Team are currently clearing flooding in various areas across the City.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
Watch to see how the staff in Heideveld cleared blocked infrastructure and flooded roads.
To report flooding, contact the City’s PEC C on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.#CTNews pic.twitter.com/Xy1mVbcAw8
Milnerton beachfront revetment completed in time for winter storms.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 15, 2023
The Milnerton Retreat beachfront project is spearheaded by the City’s Coastal Management branch to improve Cape Town’s long-term resilience to climate change.
See: https://t.co/o0DqQNWVgB#CTNews pic.twitter.com/DWY8TdbAjO
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