Cape Town - Widespread mop-up operations are under way in De Doorns which has been severely affected by flooding over the past two days.
Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers has responded to a relief call in the community after a number of homes were damaged and residents were affected by the adverse weather conditions.
Gift of Givers Western Cape project manager, Ali Sablay said they responded to the crisis on Tuesday morning.
“We are currently in De Doorns where the devastating flood took out 50 informal structures. Within two hours and the devastating rain on Monday, the structures and homes washed away.
“So far, (initial assessments) showed it affected 1 500 residents. We will be providing urgent humanitarian relief. Our teams are assisting with hot meals, blankets, mattresses and toiletry packs. As we know it is Christmas time and many of these families have lost everything.
There is one concern, as the municipality and disaster teams said they are expecting more rains on Friday and Saturday. We will be on standby,” said Sablay.
Sablay said their teams have also assisted communities in Paarl, Ceres, Worcester, Gouda and Nomzamo in Strand that had been affected by the heavy rains and floods.
Breede Valley deputy mayor, Juben von Willingh said after receiving the weather warning, they informed the community.
Resident Estara Ratisebe, 54, said they witnessed the weather changing rapidly in the later afternoon and while there was extensive damage in her community, her shack was not washed away but was flooded.
“I haven’t been able to clean anything as my home is still filled with water,” said Ratisebe.
The Drakenstein Municipality, covering Paarl, Wellington, Mbekweni, Gouda, Saron, Hermon and Simondium has cautioned its residents to brace themselves for more heavy rainfall predicted for this weekend and to ensure their houses’ gutters and downpipes are cleared of leaves and storm debris to assist the flow of stormwater and prevent blockages and flooding.
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Mayor Conrad Poole described the occurrence as an "extraordinary weather phenomenon" after the municipality experienced widespread flooding, road closures, fallen trees and road surface damage.
The worst affected areas include Paarl East with extensive damage to the Paarl East Thusong Centre’s roof; Groenheuwel; Paarl Central Business District; Berg River Boulevard; parts of Northern Paarl; Payton Place and Weltevrede in Wellington; OR Tambo and low-lying areas of Mbekweni; and Simondium including the Simondium Community Hall.
Meanwhile the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) spokesperson, Charlotte Powell said they responded to flooded roadways in Dunoon, Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay, Strand and Muizenberg.
Flooding of about 70 informal structures on the Masiphumelele sports field as well as about 50 structures in F section in Masiphumelele wetlands were also reported.
“The adverse weather appears to have cleared up for now – the DRMC will monitor the SA Weather Service forecasts for any additional warnings as the week progresses,” she said.
Provincial Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning spokesperson, Wouter Kriel said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is on standby.
“Local authorities are currently attending to the flood damages, and in a few cases, the province is providing support. We have received feedback from affected municipalities, and at this stage no fatalities or serious injuries were reported,” he said.
Cape Times