WATCH | Storms batter Cape Town, N1 closure cuts access to City

N1 Worcester

Cape Town – The N1 near Worcester has been closed until further notice as severe weather continues to batter the Western Cape, disrupting access to and from Cape Town and forcing authorities to urge motorists to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.

According to the Western Cape Government, several mountain passes along the escarpment have also been shut due to dangerous conditions caused by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds and snowfall.

Western Cape spokesperson Kristoff Adelbert advised motorists travelling towards Cape Town on the N1 to seek safe accommodation rather than continue driving overnight.

“If N1 road users must get to Cape Town tonight, the following routes are available. All of these routes should only be travelled as a last resort, and while exercising extreme caution,” The Citizen quoted Western Cape spokesperson Kristoff Adelbert as saying.

“Cellular signal may be limited in rural areas, and drivers are thus advised to drive as carefully as possible.”

He warned that cellphone reception may be limited in rural areas and urged drivers to proceed carefully.

The extreme weather has caused widespread flooding and destruction across the province, leaving roads damaged, homes submerged and essential services disrupted.

Hundreds of residents in the Breede Valley have already been evacuated by disaster management teams as rivers continue to rise following persistent rainfall.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre said assessments are under way in several informal settlements affected by the storm.

City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said teams had so far assessed six affected areas and found that 1,655 dwellings had been impacted, affecting more than 5,600 people.

“The Disaster Risk Management Centre is, in the interim, liaising with other relevant City Services to see what relief can be provided to residents,” Tyhalibongo said.

He added that completed assessments would also be submitted to the South African Social Security Agency and the National Department of Human Settlements to coordinate further support.

Authorities said assessments are continuing in other areas, with the number of affected households expected to rise as more information becomes available.

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