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Disaster teams and SAPS have been deployed across the Western Cape as strong winds, flooding and storm damage continue to wreak havoc in affected communities.
The City of Cape Town‘s Disaster Risk Management Centre says it’s assessing damage to about 40 informal settlements that are highly prone to disaster and flood damage.
Several communities have been affected by the destructive rain and winds after the first frontal system hit on Sunday.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell says teams have been responding to incidents, including flooding and power outages.
The South African Weather Service says that very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected over the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape and the western interior of the Western Cape, as well as the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi district municipalities of the… pic.twitter.com/RqPPYYGyQA
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“With roofs having been blown off, we, as part of the disaster coordinating team, including city officials, provincial disaster management, and the National Disaster Management Centre, are relying on the national disaster management system to assist affected residents. If necessary, we will evacuate people and provide emergency shelter, with support from the disaster management teams,” says Powell.
Meanwhile, the Garden Route District Municipality says gale-force winds are preventing them from carrying out rescue operations in the region.
Scores of people are still trapped in communities that were cut off by the floods. There are still several areas without water and electricity. Several roads throughout the region remain closed.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to get the choppers airborne at this time due to the current wind conditions. However, as soon as conditions improve, aerial resources will resume servicing affected areas. Teams from the South African Police Service (SAPS) have also been deployed to help clear areas where trees have been uprooted and to reopen blocked routes as quickly as possible,” says Disaster Management Head, Gerhard Otto.
VIDEO | Informal settlement residents vulnerable to severe weather: DRMC
