WESTERN CAPE – More rains are expected to batter the Cape on Monday 20 April following a weekend of heavy rains, strong winds, chilly conditions and extreme flooding across the province.

The South African Weather Service is predicting more rainfall and cold weather for the Cape metropole, Cape Winelands and West Coast throughout Monday, while cool and overcast conditions are expected on Tuesday 21 April.

In the Cape Winelands recorded rainfall ranges from 50 mm to 80mm, while mountainous areas in this district recorded up to 120 mm of rain over the three days.

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Informal areas hit hardest

The Western Cape’s first large autumn storms wreaked havoc from Friday to Sunday, with municipalities across the province affected by severe flooding as a series of cold fronts moved across the area over the three-day period.

Disaster Risk Management teams were kept busy throughout the period, with informal settlements especially hard hit in the City of Cape Town.

Sonica Lategan, spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre, said: “Officials will be conducting assessments in Mkhonto Square informal settlement in Nyanga, as well as Brown’s Farm. Our Disaster Operations Centre received reports that structures in these areas have been affected by the heavy downpours, although the extent can only be confirmed once assessments have been completed.”

Lategan further confirmed localised flooding in various parts of the metropole, as well as the flooding of roads in the Parkwood area. “There has been localised flooding in many parts of the metropole – these reports have been routed through the Transport Management Centre for attention where needed, by Roads and Stormwater teams,” she explained.

Videos and photographs of flooding in the Stellenbosch area were widely shared on social media on Sunday 19 April. Among the reported flooding were the Stellenbosch University (SU) Library, Neelsie Student Centre and Eikestad Mall.

In a statement, SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen confirmed the institution’s academic programme continues as scheduled on 20 April. “Cleanup and restoration activities are underway across affected areas. All SU residences remain fully operational,” he said.

“The SU Library experienced flooding on Sunday afternoon (19 April), after water streamed through the main doors. As the library was closed at the time, no injuries have been reported. The library will remain closed on Monday 20 April, pending further assessment. Library staff and response teams from Campus Development, Infrastructure and Services (CDIS) were on site promptly to manage the situation. Updates on library services will be communicated via the appropriate communication channels.”

No disruptions

Viljoen said water damage was also reported at a computer usage area in the Neelsie and some shops on the centre’s lower level, but the centre was fully operational on Monday.

“Various residences on the Stellenbosch campus also reported water damage. These include Huis Visser, Huis Marais, Lydia, Simonsberg, Eendrag, Khayalethu, Goldfields, Serruria and some of the SU student houses,” he added.

“Affected on-campus students are being supported, including arrangements for alternative accommodation where required; all SU residences, however, remain fully operational. The university remains in contact with commuter students whose home communities may have been impacted, and SU will support disaster management agencies in Stellenbosch to strengthen efforts.”

On Monday morning it was business as usual at Eikestad Mall. “After flash flooding across parts of Stellenbosch this weekend, Eikestad Mall carried out clean up operations and precautionary maintenance after trading hours on Sunday. We’re happy to share that all is back to normal and we look forward to welcoming you. A big thank you to our operational teams including contractors and tenants for their quick action and care,” a post on the mall’s Facebook page read.

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Boland affected

Localised flooding was also reported in the residential areas of the Stellenbosch area. “Heavy downpours and sudden cloud bursts this weekend have led to localised flooding across parts of Stellenbosch,” a statement from Stellenbosch Municipality confirmed.

“While our teams conduct regular cleaning of stormwater systems – especially as part of our Winter Preparedness Programme – drainage systems are not designed to handle the extreme volume of water experienced in such a short period of time. Our emergency and operational teams have been working throughout the weekend, responding to all calls for assistance and will continue visiting affected areas to provide support where needed.”

On Sunday, Stellenbosch executive mayor Jeremy Fasser pulled on his wellies and joined teams on the ground, assisting with sandbagging efforts, visiting families impacted by the severe weather and encouraging municipal workers who are operating under very challenging conditions.

Flooding was also reported in the Drakenstein and Breede Valley municipal areas, with a video of flooding in High Street in Worcester doing the rounds on social media.

The Swartland Municipality also confirmed various challenges in its areas, with the municipality’s civil and emergency services responding to a number of incidents over the weekend.

Mart-Marie Haasbroek, a municipal spokesperson, bouts of heavy rainfall led to the flooding of roads, especially on Sunday, as the stormwater system was “overwhelmed” by high volumes of water in a short period. “A total of 27 mm of rain fell in a 20-minute period in the Riebeek-Kasteel area,” she said.

“The Swartland civil and emergency services was called out to assist and support tesidents where houses and/or garages were flooded in the Riebeek Valley area, Moorreesburg and Malmesbury. Sand bags were distributed and emergency services helped with cleaning up actions.”

Although minimal destruction was reported to municipal infrastructure in the Swartland area, mopping up operations started on Monday, with a specific focus on roads.

Help at hand

Meanwhile, humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers confirmed its teams have been “inundated” with calls for help in informal settlements across the Cape metro and Drakenstein.

Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers Western Cape project manager, confirmed the organisation was contacted by the communities of Lwandle, Nomzamo and Strand in the Helderberg; Mbekweni near Wellington; Valhalla Park, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Du Noon, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Gugulethu and KTC in the Cape metro; and Khayamandi in Stellenbosch.

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

“Activation of relief efforts will commence shortly to provide supoort and assistance to affected families and communities. Hot meals, blankets, detergent packs and warm clothing will be distributed to affected families and flood victims.”