Western Cape storms damage thousands of homes, 5,600 residents affected

Weather

Cape Town – Severe storms battering Cape Town and other parts of the Western Cape have forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents, damaged homes and disrupted essential services, with the National Disaster Management Centre declaring the weather events a national disaster.

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said around 400 residents were evacuated from areas including Rawsonville and Zwelethemba as rivers rose dangerously following heavy rainfall, The Citizen reported.

The organisation warned evacuation numbers could increase if conditions worsen.

Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said emergency aid, including hot meals, blankets, hygiene packs and baby supplies, would be distributed to affected communities.

“Assistance will include hot meals, blankets, hygiene supplies, baby care packs, and other essential humanitarian support,” the report quoted him as saying.

“Gift of the Givers remains on high alert and continues to work closely with local authorities, disaster management teams, and community leaders to ensure that vulnerable residents receive urgent assistance during this unfolding crisis,” Sablay said.

The City of Cape Town said assessments in informal settlements found that at least 1,655 dwellings had been damaged, affecting more than 5,600 people. Areas hardest hit include Qandu Qandu in Khayelitsha, Overcome Heights and Vygieskraal.

According to EWN, Disaster Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said humanitarian aid organisations have been mobilised to support affected residents with emergency assistance such as hot meals and blankets.

She said damage assessments are being shared with South African Social Security Agency and the National Department of Human Settlements to help coordinate further support efforts.

Powell added that the Disaster Risk Management Centre is working with various City departments to determine what additional relief can be provided to impacted communities.

“The Disaster Risk Management Centre is liaising with other relevant City services to see what relief can be provided to residents,” Powell said.

Assessments are still under way in several areas, with authorities expecting the number of affected households to rise as more reports come.

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