Sustained rainfall over the last 36+ hours has resulted in localised flooding, defective traffic lights, electricity outages and uprooted trees, among other things. The City has numerous departments attending to these issues, with efforts coordinated by the Disaster Risk Management Centre.

Cape Town’s first real winter rainfall has meant more than 36 hours of sustained precipitation, including heavy showers and thunder showers.

The net result has been localised flooding in both formal and informal settlements, blocked roadways, uprooted trees, electricity outages and more.

‘Every one of our teams are out on the road dealing with localised flooding issues. Some 110 teams are on the road and are working around the clock to clear the blockages. I want to thank all the staff for working in these challenging conditions, and the public for their patience. I call on the public to please report any incidents to our call centre or log the requests online so we can route these as quickly as possible to the response teams,’ said Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

During the last 24-hour measuring period, rainfall stations in the Cape Metropole recorded between 34mm and 123 mm of rain.

‘The rain has been falling consistently since late on Sunday evening, which has meant very little opportunity for adequate run off. The current forecast indicates that the rain will likely persist until early tomorrow morning. City teams are doing all that they can to address the weather-related impact that has been reported to our Disaster Management Centre, but prevailing conditions may slow down their efforts. We urge the public to report any issues through the correct channels, but to please bear with us as teams make their way through the list of service requests already logged,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Apart from clearing blockages to allow pooled water to recede, City teams are also conducting assessments in communities where homes have been flooded.

The DRMC will submit requests to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to provide humanitarian relief in instances where it is deemed appropriate.

As at 13:00, the following had been reported to the Disaster Management Centre:

Properties damaged due to flooded roadways and blocked drains in Kleinvlei, Ravensmead, Goodwood, Strand, Riverside, Bonteheuwel, Belhar, Maitland and Bellville South. An animal hospital was also affected by flooding in Kaapzicht. The Road Infrastructure Management Department is clearing roadways and unblocking drains.

Informal settlements affected in Delft, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, Crossroads, Philippi, Gugulethu, Nyanga. The Road Infrastructure Management Department is providing milling and sand to raise the floor level where it is possible to do so.

Weather related power outages are experienced across the city and are being attended to by the Electricity Department.

Many roadways are still blocked. During the last 24 hour measuring period, rainfall stations in the Cape Metropole recorded between 34 and 123 mm of rain in a short period which severely tested the capacity of the storm-water systems.

At this stage, there are no life threatening situations only damage to properties.

Residents are reminded that there are numerous fault or service reporting channels, including online at https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html

Additional reporting channels are outlined below:

Electricity Department: Emergencies, accounts and general enquiries

Telephone: 0860 103 089

SMS your fault to: 31220 (free SMSes do not apply)

Email: electricity@capetown.gov.za

Electricity – Eskom supply areas

Telephone: 0860 037 566

SMS your fault to: 35328 (free SMSes do not apply)

Email: western@eskom.co.za

Water and Sanitation: Emergencies, accounts and general enquiries

Telephone: 0860 103 089

Email: water@capetown.gov.za

SMS your fault to:31373 (free SMSes do not apply)

Fax: 021 957 4726

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialing 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

Source: City Of Cape Town