Adverse weather prompts further school closures in Western Cape

A NUMBER of schools in the Cape Winelands Education District will be closed Monday due to adverse weather affecting the province. 

Education MEC David Maynier said the decision was taken in the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

All public ordinary and special needs schools in Circuits 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be closed due to the severe weather warnings in these areas, including Worcester, Ceres, Rawsonville, Tulbagh, and Hex River Valley.

“The affected schools have received official notice of the closure from the Head of Department, and have been requested to communicate the closures to parents,” Maynier said.

In addition, 11 schools in the Eden and Central Karoo Education District will remain closed on Monday, due to the impact of last week’s storm on access to these schools.

“All other schools in the Western Cape will be open unless approval has been granted for closure, which will be done on a case-by-case basis.

“Our default position is always to keep schools open and only close schools in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place,” Maynier said. 

All schools are expected to open tomorrow.

This comes as the Western Cape Government (WCG) on Sunday met with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre to coordinate disaster readiness measures in response to severe weather warnings issued by the SAWS for two intense cold fronts expected to impact parts of the province.

The cold fronts are expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions.

The following warnings remain in force:

• An Orange Level 8 Warning for disruptive rainfall and flooding along the escarpment, impacting the City of Cape Town and municipalities including Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, the western parts of Theewaterskloof, Breede Valley and Witzenberg. Some mountainous areas could receive between 200mm and 300mm of rain during this period.

• An Orange Level 6 Warning for strong to gale-force winds, with gusts of up to 100–120 km/h along the coastline. These conditions are expected to result in rough sea conditions, with wave heights of between 4m and 6m on Sunday, increasing to between 6.5m and 7.5m Monday.

• An Orange Level 5 Warning for strong winds gusting up to 100–120 km/h over parts of the Cape Winelands and the western parts of the Central Karoo. These conditions may result in falling trees and damage to infrastructure.

"The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has activated coordination mechanisms across all districts and within the City of Cape Town, with all disaster management centres placed on high alert ahead of the approaching weather system. Municipalities and response agencies are actively preparing for possible flooding, road closures, wind damage, and disruptions to essential services."

The WCG also welcomed the National Disaster Classification issued by the National Disaster Management Centre in response to the widespread impact of recent rainfall in the Garden Route and surrounding areas.

"This classification will enable more effective budget allocation and improved transversal cooperation between spheres of government and departments in addressing the aftermath of the storm."

Cape Times