Western Cape Ravaged by Heavy Rains, Flooding Forces Families to Flee Homes
Western Cape, South Africa, has been severely hit by heavy rains and strong winds, resulting in devastating floods that have forced hundreds of families to evacuate their homes. The region has been grappling with the aftermath of torrential downpours, with tragic incidents and extensive property damage reported.
In the community of Mfuleni, approximately 2,000 families had to abandon their shacks due to the relentless rain that caused widespread flooding. Thembisa Thuba, a community leader, expressed the dire situation, stating that residents had fled their homes to ensure their safety. As a result, personal belongings, including clothes and bedding, were washed away or destroyed, and electrical appliances were left soaked.
Tragically, a man named Zukile Komani lost his life during the storm. It was suspected that he was electrocuted by a live wire hidden amidst the floodwater. Mxolisi Melento, a neighbor, discovered Komani’s body submerged in water, initially mistaking it for a washed-out jacket. It is believed that illegal electrical connections within the floodwater may have caused the electrocution. Other residents, including Melento, also experienced electric shocks when coming into contact with the flooded surroundings.
To assist those affected, Thuba and other community leaders decided to unlock vacant but unoccupied shacks to provide temporary shelter for the flood victims. The impacted families urgently require essentials such as blankets, food, and clothes. Thuba appealed to local spaza shop owners to offer assistance, as many victims were left hungry and without resources.
Residents have been resorting to various methods to mitigate floods in the past, including digging trenches to divert water. However, the severity of the recent rains has rendered these measures ineffective. Thuba expressed the growing concern, stating that the current flooding is more severe than previous instances.
Multiple informal settlements in Dunoon, Khayelitsha, Philippi, and Strand have also suffered heavily from the floods. And in Siyahlala informal settlement, a blocked sewage system caused a filthy river to overflow into nearby shacks, compounding the misery for residents.
In response to the situation, the South African Weather Service issued a level 9 warning for disruptive rain and gale force winds. Traffic disruptions are widespread, with the N2 closed at Bot River due to a washed-away bridge, and the N1 between De Doorns and Worcester also closed with diversions in place.
The City of Cape Town’s disaster risk management spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, indicated that while the rain should diminish by Monday evening, strong winds are expected to persist for three more hours.
As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster, compassion and aid from both the authorities and community members will be paramount in helping the affected families recover and rebuild their lives.
