The Western Cape remains on high alert as one of the most severe weather systems to hit the province this winter continues to batter parts of the Garden Route and Central Karoo, with authorities warning that already saturated ground could lead to further flooding, infrastructure damage and disruptions to essential services.
Disaster management teams, emergency services and municipalities have been fully activated after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued high-impact weather warnings, including a rare Level 8 warning for parts of the eastern Garden Route and a Level 4 warning for the Central Karoo.
The warning levels reflect the severity of the expected impacts. A Level 8 warning indicates the potential for severe and widespread disruption, including significant flooding, infrastructure damage, road closures, power outages and threats to life. A Level 4 warning signals the likelihood of localised flooding, damage to property and infrastructure, and incidents requiring emergency response interventions.
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre had been briefed by SAWS on a cut-off low-pressure system expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, very cold conditions and rough seas.
“We are urging residents, businesses, farmers and municipalities to prepare for severe weather conditions expected across the province,” Bredell said.
According to SAWS, municipalities including Bitou, Knysna and George could receive up to 200mm of rainfall, while Beaufort West Municipality is expected to receive between 60mm and 80mm over a two-day period.
SAWS warned that the combination of saturated catchments from previous storms and the latest downpours could result in severe flooding and widespread disruption. As a result, a Level 8 impact-based warning was issued for parts of the eastern Garden Route, while a Level 4 warning was issued for the Central Karoo, including Laingsburg and Swellendam.
The latest update to the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre revealed that some of these impacts are already being felt.
The N1 at Leeu Gamka was closed due to flooding, with authorities reporting no safe alternative route available. Several roads across the Garden Route and Karoo have also been affected by the severe weather.
The South African Weather Service reported rainfall totals of between 50mm and 100mm across the Central Karoo, while some areas in the eastern Garden Route received up to 200mm of rain.
The Department of Water and Sanitation reported that dams in both the Garden Route and Central Karoo districts are currently spilling, while rivers remain full or in flood.
Authorities are closely monitoring the Keurbooms River, which is currently flowing at 133 cubic metres per second.
Road infrastructure has also been affected in several areas.
Molteno Pass between Beaufort West and Loxton remains closed, while sections of the R328 towards the Cango Caves and Welbedacht Road in Oudtshoorn have been closed because of weather-related damage.
Rockfalls have been reported on the R324 at Tradouw Pass and on sections of the N12, while localised flooding has been recorded in Seweweekspoort.
Power supply has also been affected in parts of the Garden Route. Eskom reported outages in Harkerville and Covie in the Bitou municipal area, as well as Sedgefield and Karatara in Knysna. Restoration efforts remain under way.
Despite the deteriorating conditions, Bredell said the overall situation remained stable.
Municipalities across the province have implemented readiness plans in anticipation of the severe weather.
In George, one of the municipalities expected to be hardest hit, contingency plans have been activated and all relevant departments placed on high alert following the Orange Level 8 warning.
An integrated, multi-sectoral response involving disaster management, community services, human settlements, traffic services, civil engineering, electrotechnical services and technical services has been mobilised across George, Uniondale and Haarlem.
As part of the municipality’s preparedness measures, sand has been made available to residents living in vulnerable and flood-prone areas at Pacaltsdorp Community Hall, Thembalethu Fire Station and George Central Fire Station. Residents have been asked to bring their own sandbags, while firefighters will assist with filling them where operationally possible.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town said it has intensified its winter readiness programme through 12 critical flood mitigation interventions valued at more than R85 million.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has undertaken extensive cleaning, dredging and rehabilitation projects across rivers, canals, culverts, ponds and waterways as part of efforts to reduce flood risks and improve water quality during the rainy season.
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien said winter readiness operations were currently in full swing.
“Teams are removing significant volumes of waste, vegetation and sediment from canals and stormwater infrastructure to improve drainage ahead of the rainy season.”
Tracy-Lynn Ruiters
iol.co.za
