Island Informal Settlement in Khayelitsha flooded after heavy Cape Town rains.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Media
Emergency services remain on high alert after at least three deaths were confirmed by Monday evening as the province braced for another day of heavy rain and gale-force winds.
Authorities said one person died after a tree fell onto a vehicle in Kenilworth.
A 64-year-old woman was also killed when an uprooted tree fell on her in Blanco, while the body of a man was recovered in Meiringspoort, according to the Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre.
The man had reportedly attempted to cross a river on Saturday near Klaarstroom at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains before being swept away by floodwaters.
The South African Weather Service has meanwhile issued another Level 8 weather warning for Tuesday, with further localised flooding expected as storms continue to uproot trees, disrupt power lines and swamp informal settlements.
All schools across the province have been instructed to remain closed following advice from the provincial disaster management centre.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) also warned that flights to and from Cape Town and George could face delays, diversions or cancellations because of the severe weather.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell urged residents to exercise extreme caution.
“We are urging residents to exercise extreme caution over the next two days. Please be aware of your surroundings and avoid crossing streams or rivers. Please also be mindful of trees or any objects that may become dislodged by strong winds,” he said.
Rainfall levels of 64mm were recorded in Ceres in the Cape Winelands, while Kirstenbosch in the City of Cape Town recorded 52mm Monday morning.
The Overberg District Disaster Management Centre reported nine incidents of trucks being blown over on the N2.
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith said Disaster Risk Management teams were spearheading operations from a Disaster Operations Centre in Goodwood.
“Our officers are doing duty at intersections, assisting where roads have been closed due to flooding or fallen trees, and responding to calls for help. We are supporting other departments and lending a hand where possible,” he said.
Residents were warned that electricity restoration teams would only be deployed once conditions were deemed safe.
Large parts of Cape Town and surrounding areas experienced blackouts after uprooted trees and wind-blown debris damaged power lines. Affected areas include Gugulethu, Parkwood, Langa, Hanover Park, Philippi, Brooklyn, Bergvliet, Rondebosch, Observatory, Sybrand Park, Pinelands, Plumstead, Wetton, Bonteheuwel and Strand.
Due to electricity disruptions, patients requiring specialist healthcare services were diverted from Mitchells Plain Hospital to Khayelitsha District Hospital.
All clinics in the Breede Valley area and parts of the Cape Winelands were also closed in order to protect staff and patients.
In the West Coast District, unsafe road conditions led to the temporary closure of Redelinghuys Clinic and the suspension of the Piketberg Bo-berg mobile service.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said most healthcare services remained operational despite the disruptions.
“The primary impact of the current weather conditions relates to power supply interruptions in some areas, affecting a number of healthcare facilities,” the department said in a statement issued Monday.
“Contingency measures are in place at our healthcare facilities, including generators and patient transfers where necessary, to ensure continuity of essential services.”
The department added that hospitals and clinics in the Overberg, West Coast, Cape Metro, Garden Route and Central Karoo districts continued to function under contingency plans.
“In specific cases, hospitals are operating on generator power, and where there is infrastructure damage due to strong winds, emergency cases, including paediatric and theatre patients at Caledon Hospital, are being safely accommodated through established referral and transfer systems to Hermanus Hospital, supported by Emergency Medical Services.”
Cape Times