Western Cape Disaster Management Monitoring Effects of Heavy Rainfall

The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC) has been monitoring heavy rains experienced throughout the province due to a cut off low. The South African Weather Services issued a weather warning for heavy rainfall expected in the West Coast District today and possible severe thunderstorms over the northern parts of the Cape Winelands on Wednesday morning. 

Update as of Wednesday, 8 January 2014

No significant incidents were reported in the City of Cape Town. All disaster management and engineering teams were placed on standby. Routine monitoring is underway at high risk areas such as Diep River, Elsieskraal and the Lourens rivers.

An unconfirmed number of houses were flooded in Zweletemba in the Breede Valley. The local emergency services and engineering department are attending to the community.

In Langeberg in the Cape Winelands District all major routes are open however heavy traffic volumes exist due to the heavy rains and minor flooding. The Hoops, Keisie and Kinga rivers are currently in flood. The body of the mentally challenged person has not yet been recovered.

Two secondary roads in Greyton and Riviersondend are closed. Residents from the Buffeljasrivier informal settlement were accommodated in the Swellendam community hall and in all probability will be able to return to their homes during the course of today.

A Joint Operational Centre was established by the South African Police Services in Laingsburg. Part of N1 was closed during early hours of this morning; however it was re-opened around 09:00. River levels are rising and if poses any danger, the N1 will be closed as a precautionary measure.

Farms in Vleiland area have been cut off. No lives are in danger.  Various rivers in the Central Karoo District including Buffels, Wilgenhout, Baviaans and Geelbek’s rivers are in flood. According to Colin Deiner, chief director for Western Cape Disaster Management, “A spotter aircraft has been arranged to assess the farm’s accessibility and damages.”

In the George area, six homes in Thembalethu were affected by heavy rains.

In Slangrivier, some houses were affected by the rain. Disaster relief in the form of blankets and food parcels have been distributed by Hessequa Disaster Management.

In Kannaland, five adults and five children were rescued off a farm due to the fact that they were cut off by a flooded river.

Heavy rain was experienced overnight in the West Coast District, however no major incidents were reported.

The Department of Water Affairs have deployed officials across the province to monitor the flooded rivers as well as affected dams. Currently the Buffeljags dam is at 130.98%; the Floriskraal dam at 150.44% and the Prins River dam at 129.62%.

The Department of Agriculture has reported damage in Montagu and the Laingsburg area downstream from Floriskraal Dam.  An estimate will only be carried out once the water has subsided.

Western Cape Disaster Management is monitoring the situation and all disaster management centres are on high alert.  All relevant contingency plans are in place.