The Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID) responded proactively to flooding in Bellville and Parow following heavy weekend rains across Cape Town.

The organisation implemented measures earlier this year through its Winter Readiness Programme, with teams working to clear stormwater drains ahead of the winter season.

VRCID chief operating officer Derek Bock said the organisation’s Public Employment Programme (PEP) and Greater Stellenbosch Trust Work Readiness teams had cleared stormwater drains of litter and debris across the VRCID area to prevent blockages ahead of the winter rains.

READ ALSO: Cape Town battered by weekend storms as flooding hits Dunoon hard

The teams also upgraded their equipment, using specialised drain cleaning rods for more thorough clearing. Areas that could not be resolved were reported to the City of Cape Town.

Infrastructure challenges persist

In Vlei Street, Bellville, some stormwater inlets have been partially blocked by concrete. Bock explained that the organisation had reported this previously, but was informed that existing infrastructure, including stormwater pipes that are too small to handle large volumes of rainwater, cannot cope during heavy rainfall.

Further challenges were experienced at Carl Cronje Avenue beneath the N1 bridge, where sand washes down from embankments during heavy rain, clogging roads and drains. An overflowing canal in the area further exacerbated flooding conditions.

Despite these challenges, VRCID maintenance teams were deployed in the rain to clear blocked drains and improve water flow. Precinct managers also monitored affected areas, identifying and reporting blocked stormwater systems to the City for urgent attention.

“Our role is to act where we can and ensure larger infrastructure issues are escalated,” said Bock. “We will continue working with the City to improve resilience in our communities.”

City-wide response under way

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, alongside Disaster Risk Management and various service departments, is working around the clock to address the impact of the heavy rainfall. Approximately 480 flooding-related complaints were received from Friday until early Monday morning, with widespread areas across the city experiencing localised flooding. Affected areas included both formal and informal residential areas such as Parkwood, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Delft, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga and parts of Dunoon.

The organisation has encouraged residents and businesses to report blocked drains and flooding hotspots to assist rapid response during severe weather.

READ ALSO: Heavy rainfall and strong winds cause flooding in Edgemead, uproots trees