Mop-up operations begin after heavy rains flood parts of Cape Town

Muddy, and wet conditions in Dunoon. The downpour of rain caused some homes to be flooded at the weekend.

• Heavy rainfall over the weekend has resulted in some localised flooding in parts of Cape Town.
• Disaster Risk Management teams are out on the ground in various areas doing assessments on the reported damage.
• Authorities have warned that more rain can be expected.

Mop-up operations are under way across parts of Cape Town after heavy weekend downpours triggered localised flooding, but authorities have warned the situation remains precarious with more rain expected in the coming days.

Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell said only “some isolated flooding” had been reported, which the city’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) teams had managed.

“From a provincial perspective, our disaster centre is monitoring the situation, and we are in contact with our district disaster centres. Nothing major has been reported so far. We are expecting another 30mm of rain today (Monday),” Bredell said.

DRM spokesperson Sonia Lategan said teams were still on the ground conducting assessments in affected areas, including Mkhonto Square informal settlement in Nyanga and Brown’s Farm.

“Our Disaster Operations Centre (DOC) received reports that structures in these areas have been affected by the heavy downpours. The extent can only be confirmed once assessments are completed,” Lategan said.

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She added that multiple reports of localised flooding had been received across the metro and were being channelled through the Transport Management Centre for intervention by roads and stormwater teams.

“There has also been localised flooding of roads, and in Simon’s Town, water couldn’t clear quickly enough due to the heavy downpours,” she said, noting that no major residential impact had been reported at this stage.

However, humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said it had been inundated with calls for help from communities hardest hit by the rain.

On Monday morning, teams were deployed to Dunoon, where residents had already begun sweeping water out of their homes as the rain subsided.

Resident Linda Potelwa described Sunday night’s downpour as “terrible”, saying both her kitchen and bedroom were flooded.

She said:

She added that her two children only left for school after 09:00 once the rain eased.

“Luckily, their school clothes were not wet, but the boys wanted to stay at home and help me clean the water out, but I said they must go so I can clean the place up while they’re gone,” Potelwa said.

She said Gift of the Givers teams were already in the area, assisting residents with food and blankets and helping clear water from flooded homes.

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Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said the organisation had received calls for assistance from multiple informal settlements across the Cape metro and Drakenstein areas, as ongoing rainfall led to widespread flooding.

“Our teams are currently engaging with community leaders and local councillors to assess the extent of the impact and coordinate an effective response.

“Activation of relief efforts will commence shortly to provide support and assistance to affected families and communities,” Sablay said.

He said hot meals, blankets, detergent packs, hygiene packs and warm clothing would be distributed to affected families.

Areas that have requested assistance include Lwandle, Nomzamo, Strand, Valhalla Park, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Dunoon, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Gugulethu and Kayamandi.

City of Cape Town traffic chief Kevin Jacobs said no major disruptions had been reported, although the left lane on Rhodes Drive was flooded.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious amid the wet conditions. Lategan advised the public to report emergencies to the City’s Public Emergency Communications Centre on 021 480 7700.

News24 sent additional questions to the City, provincial government, and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). This article will be updated once further information is received.