The South African Weather Service issued an advisory for disruptive rain that is expected
Towns in the Garden Route are expected to be the worst affected, with up to 200 milimetres of rain anticipated.
The province’s head of disaster management, Colin Deiner, said local and provincial rescue resources have been activated.
Deiner said earth-moving equipment and provincial traffic services are also being deployed in preparation for the severe weather system.
“We are currently doing risk assessments of school bus routes, dams and rivers, estuaries, roads, and are taking the appropriate action to be prepared for when this storm makes landfall,” said Deiner.
WC WINTER READINESS PLAN IS IN PLACE
Deiner said teams have been preparing by clearing drains and riverbeds, adding that biomass often clogs waterways, increasing the risk of flash floods during heavy winter rains.
He noted that road maintenance will also form part of the province’s preparations.
“Our emergency services state of readiness really focuses on these kinds of incidents, in the next couple of days and through the next few months, of course.”
Deiner added that the Western Cape has a specialised flood rescue unit based in George.
He said the department is ready to respond to residents in distress this winter.
“We have the SA police diving units. The City of Cape Town has a swift Water Rescue Unit, so does the Department of Health Emergency Medical Services. The province has a Specialised Flood Rescue Unit, and then we have a lot of volunteer organisations.”
Camray Clarke
www.ewn.co.za