Heavy rains wreak havoc in parts of Cape Town

Cape Town experienced strong winds and rainfall on Tuesday. Picture: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA)

Cape Town experienced strong winds and rainfall on Tuesday. Picture: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jun 14, 2022

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Heavy downpours in Cape Town have wreaked havoc and damaged properties and roads across the metro.

City officials said sustained rainfall over the past 36 hours has resulted in localised flooding, defective traffic lights, electricity outages and uprooted trees in parts of the city.

The very high rainfall – up to 128mm of rain fell at the Newlands rainfall station within a 24-hour period on 13 June 2022 – stretched the City’s stormwater infrastructure beyond capacity.

The Western Cape Education Department said 10 schools in the region requested early closure or were unable to access their buildings as a result of the flooding.

Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City’s Department of Disaster Risk Management, said properties damaged due to flooded roadways and blocked drains were reported 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,” said Powell.

She added that informal settlements were affected in Delft, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, Crossroads, Philippi, Gugulethu and Nyanga.

Residents of Covid-19 informal settlement affected by heavy downpours. Picture: Phando Jikelo African News Agency (ANA)

The City’s Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said: “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 (Wednesday) 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.”

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level three warning for damaging winds and heavy rain.