Flooding has impacted numerous suburbs in Cape Town, confirmed by the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DMRC).
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DMRC spokesperson Charlotte Powell reported flooding in Khayelitsha, Philippi, Gugulethu, Kraaifontein, Elsiesriver, Dunoon, Belgravia, and New Village in Nomzamo, among other areas. New Village is the worst affected, with 180 structures flooded.
The South African Social Security Agency is providing humanitarian relief. The Department of Roads is supplying sand and milling, while the Informal Settlements Management Department is assessing flooded areas and distributing flood kits. Powell noted that many roads are flooded, with debris being cleared and drains unblocked.
The Department of Electricity is addressing weather-related power outages in several areas. Downpours are expected to continue throughout the day, with ongoing ground assessments.
Heavy rains and flooding have recently battered the Western Cape. It has been reported that 17 people were rescued across the province, including 11 from Welgeluk in Oudtshoorn and 6 from Meiringspoort Pass.
Towns in the Overberg District, Garden Route, Central Karoo, West Coast, and Cape Winelands also experienced damaging floods. Although parts of the Garden Route District Municipality remain flooded, water levels are decreasing, according to disaster management head Gerhard Otto.
Otto advised against crossing low-water bridges or walking through floodwaters. Residents in flood-prone areas should move to higher ground to ensure safety.
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