South Africa responds to severe flood in Western cape

By Bisola Adeyemo

The Kenyan Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Western Cape, advised the public not to conduct any recreational activities near dams, streams, avoid parking cars under or near trees due to the danger of debris while there is flooding.

According to the press release from the government of South Africa, DWS also warned the public to take precautions when crossing especially low-lying bridges and other water systems is advised as there may be localized flooding.

South Africa experiences rainfall that varies significantly from west to east.

The Western Cape Province has the highest rainfall variation of any of the South African provinces, with a low of 60mm and a peak of 3345mm per year with most areas receiving between about 350 and 1 000 mm per year.

The DWS Western Cape Acting Provincial Head, Ms. Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, this is the second instalment of flooding in less than a month. “A fortnight ago, the Southern Cape experienced flooding, which resulted in the evacuation of people in Thembalethu, Skaapkop Valley and Pacaltsdorp and other areas”.

“While heavy rains are welcome to boost water availability, people need to be reminded that water can be dangerous with the potential for death at times. The following is the update on the flooding situation.”

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) and sector Departments are going to all the affected municipalities in the Garden Route District Municipality to verify the flood damages from 07 -10th December 2021.

While giving update on flooding in Western Cape catchments , Mupariwa said on 4 December 2021, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a revised Impact Based Warning for Severe Thunderstorms, while on 05 December 2021 the Garden Route District Municipality experienced periods of severe rainfall as a result of the current Cut off Low persisting over the area.

Meiringspoort in De Rust area had to be closed due to a burst in the Klaarstoom catchment leading to the river being in flood and this has since been re-opened.

Meanwhile the hydrological report of 06 December 2021 indicates an improvement of the Gouritz River Catchment System that covers the Central Karoo, the Little Karoo and the coastal belt of the Southern Cape. The combined dams’ average of Gouritz River Catchment System stands at 34,66 compared to 31,46% the same time last week.