Cape Town Prepares for Winter Storms

With long range weather forecasts indicating the possibility of above normal rainfall for the coming winter months, the City of Cape Town has already started implementing a comprehensive plan to deal with the inevitable effects of the forthcoming winter storms.Various City departments such as Roads and Stormwater, Disaster Risk Management and Housing are co-coordinating and implementing their plans and mitigation measures to manage flooding and minimise possible storm damage in the coming months. Due to last year's wet winter season, ground water is currently at elevated levels which could increase the possibility of flooding, especially in informal areas.

According to Carlton Fillis, Senior Forecaster at the South African Weather Service, the forecast appears to be particularly optimistic for higher than normal rainfall over the Western coastal areas with the likelihood increasing into winter. Despite the positive prospects for higher than normal rainfall the seasonal outlook does not suggest extreme conditions concerning either excessively high or excessively low rainfall risks.

The City proactively embarked on a programme of rehabilitative maintenance and improvements to stormwater infrastructure in the 2009/10 summer in preparation for this winter. The focus is now on preparing the City's response capability to meet any flooding events.

Due to preventative measures taken by City departments the number of buildings and structures affected decreased from twenty two thousand three hundred and twenty three (22 323) in 2008 to eleven thousand five hundred and seven (11 507) in 2009. Just over seventy thousand (70 000) residents were affected in 2009 as opposed to seventy five thousand two hundred and fifty six (75 256) in 2008.

According to Henry Du Plessis, Director: Roads and Stormwater, the department is responsible for seven thousand five hundred kilometres (7 500 km) of pipe lines and culverts (underground conduits), one hundred and eighty thousand (180 000) gullies, eighty five thousand (85 000) manholes, eight hundred and fifty (850) retention ponds and one thousand two hundred kilometres (1 200 km) of maintained rivers, canals and open channels.

The City's budget allocation for pro-active maintenance (mainly cleaning) of stormwater facilities by means of contracted services totals forty six million rand (R46 m) and the reactive maintenance work, such as response to flood incidents, undertaken by the Roads and Stormwater Department totals approximately forty one million rand (R41 m).

"Although Cape Town makes every effort to prepare for winter rains, it is difficult to prevent flooding in low-lying informal settlements," says Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects.

Apart from corrective actions during flooding, the City's plan provides for the pro-active cleaning and upgrading of stormwater systems and drains, regular inspections of retention ponds and watercourses, a public education programme and a disaster management plan.

As an outcome of last year's winter a number of Temporary Relocation Areas' (TRA's) have been identified where families living in high risk areas could be relocated.

With the assistance of the Provincial Government, the City has fast tracked the complicated planning and legislative process (project initiation to construction) by eight months.

This week service providers will begin site preparation and installation of underground services on four sites in Khayelitsha and Mfuleni. The sites will be able to accommodate 1500 units, and recipients will be identified from flood-prone areas in Mfuleni and Khayelitsha respectively.

The proposed Flood Relief Accommodation Developments were advertised for public comment in February, followed by Provincial approval at the end of March for three of the four sites at the end of last month (one site already had the necessary approval).

"This year the City will continue its public education programme to warn residents of the dangers of settling in retention ponds, wetlands and other flood prone areas. We have already embarked on a city-wide stormwater cleaning programme as part of our risk reduction measures," says Thompson.

Pro-active cleaning work is well underway. This includes the removal of silt and other debris from the underground systems and stormwater catch pits. In addition, all critical stormwater outlets in ponds, rivers and canals will be inspected regularly and cleaned as and when required.

The City has also allocated R18, 4 million of the Solid Waste Department's budget for a cleaning service to minimise stormwater blockages. The Solid Waste Department has started with three cycles from April until August with 616 temporary casual jobs being created to implement the programme.

"As part of the City's public education programme, residents are given practical tips on how to raise floor levels, divert flood waters, as well as reduce health hazards associated with stagnant water. A trilingual brochure is being distributed to residents in high-risk flood areas," says Thompson. The City's Disaster Risk Management Plan is driven by a Disaster Risk Management Co-coordinating Team whereby a multi-disciplinary rapid response team executes contingency plans. It also acts as a central information point to communicate swiftly with the public during emergencies. "Despite contingency plans, we acknowledge that flooding and mudslides may still occur due to variable climatic conditions. This is an annual occurrence which cannot be completely prevented as rainfall may exceed the design capacity of the stormwater system," Thompson added.

In the event of severe flooding various emergency shelters have been identified to help minimise the disruption of lives and community activities. People will be encouraged to first try and find alternative accommodation with neighbours, friends or families before being housed in community facilities.

Together with None Governmental Organisations (NGOs) , various City services will provide blankets, food and basic necessities to flood victims. The City will provide specific information with regard to health issues, the registration of victims and emergency shelters.

Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the City's all hours Technical Operations Centre at 0860 103 054. Residents can also SMS 31373.

In the event of a life- or property threatening emergency, contact 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

The City will on a continuous basis and as deemed necessary issue weather warnings and alerts based on advisories received from the South African Weather Service.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town