With more heavy rains predicted for the next few days, more flooding is prone to occur in areas in the vicinity of the Lourens River in Somerset West and residents are advised to be cautious and make use of the City of Cape Town’s emergency number in incidents. Picture above, is an affected area at the Tereo School in Victoria Street, Somerset West on Wednesday June 14. PICTURE: CARMEN JACOBS
Local residents should be aware of more heavy rains predicted over the next few days and extra caution should be taken by those living in flood-prone areas.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued warnings of disruptive rain in the City of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Helderberg, Drakenstein and Paarl.
According to the SAWS this can result in flooding of roads, infrastructure, evacuations and damage to property in both formal and informal areas in these places.
Thus residents are cautioned to be aware of a disruption of traffic flow, an affect on essential services such as water and electricity and those living close to rivers and streams are cautioned against mud slides, rock falls and possible fast-flowing streams.
In Somerset West, heavy rains caused the Lourens River to burst its banks on Wednesday June 14, and this has resulted in many issues for local residents, causing evacuations in some of the affected areas in Strand, Somerset West and other areas of the Helderberg.
Heavy rains continued on Thursday June 15.
Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC), informed Bolander about evacuations in flood-affected areas yesterday and said more rainfall is predicted for today, Thursday June 15, and over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Bolander asked the City if people residing in the vicinity of the Lourens River should become concerned about further evacuations and what actions should be taken if they become worried about being affected by the flooding of the river. Ms Powell advised residents living in close proximity of the Lourens River to make other arrangements. “It would be advised if they could seek alternative accommodation with friends and family,” she said.
The City advised residents to use the City of Cape Town’s Public Emergency Communication Centre number in cases of emergencies or incidents. Residents can call 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or dial 107 from a landline.