Weather warnings issued for Stellenbosch and Cape Winelands

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has on Monday August 26, issued a warning of damaging winds in the Stellenbosch, Drakenstein and Paarl areas.

According to the SAWS residents in Stellenbosch can expect damaging winds on Tuesday August 27, that can possibly cause damage to formal and informal settlements as well as damage or loss of agricultural production.

The Stellenbosch Municipality urged residents to be cautious and safe and in any emergencies contact the municipality’s 24-hour control room at 021 808 8999 or send a WhatsApp to 079 622 4722.

In Drakenstein and Paarl residents should be expectant of possible disruptive rain and damaging winds on Tuesday with especially heavy rainfall predicted for the mountainous areas of the Cape Winelands.

The Drakenstein Municipality urges residents in a Facebook post to make provision for the inclement weather and advised residents to bring loose objects indoors, clean gutters and downpipes, to clear drains and stay clear of riverbanks.

Earlier this year Bolander reported in (Cold fronts continue to batter Cape, July 12, 2024) of heavy rains resulting in evacuations of residents in the Newton residential area in Wellington, located near the Bo-Dal dam area.

Furthermore the Drakenstein Municipality advised residents to limit travel where possible, keep a safe following distance, to check that their vehicle’s wipers and headlights are fully functional and for high sided vehicles to allow for longer travel time, especially on the N1 highway.

Drakenstein residents are advised to in emergencies contact the municipality on 080 131 3553 and non-emergencies can be reported to the ward councillors or on the municipality’s app.

Additionally the SAWS warned of possible risk of localised runaway fires over the Eastern parts of the Western Cape.