Storm impact evaluated across all districts: Winde

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, says that damage assessments are under way across all districts of the Western Cape following the recent storms that caused widespread destruction in the province. He says mop-up operations and recovery efforts continue in several communities.

Winde says that teams are working around the clock to restore water and power supply to all areas. He says that crews are also fixing damaged roads that have been inaccessible and have resulted in many people being stranded or cut-off. The death toll officially stands at eleven, with thousands of people still destitute. Winde says that the damage assessments will determine the support communities will receive in the coming weeks. He has reiterated that the recovery will take time.

Meanwhile, aid organisation Gift of the Givers says several areas in the Langeberg Municipality in the Western Cape haven’t received help as they are still cut off following the recent storms that hit the province. The storms have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, hampering aid efforts.

Gift of the Givers Project Manager, Ali Sablay, says that they’re unable to reach some areas due to inaccessible roads. He says that large parts in the Langeberg municipality are still without water.

“Some of them haven’t received help since the floods occured 4 to 5 days as roads not being accessible. This is going be a huge humanitarian coming for the next 2 to 3 weeks as we see the imoact and level of destruction. I must add in all of the areas we are working in there’s a major challenge of water,” says Sablay.