[imagesource:kayleemorgan/eyewitnessnews]

The severe rainfall that’s been battering most of the Western Cape over the last couple of days has resulted in heavy flooding and overflowing rivers, causing major destruction and devastation.

Parts of the city are now racked with non-load-shedding related electricity supply issues as power plants become soaked, with a lack of running trains, and overall havoc on the roads as they become increasingly waterlogged.

News24 reported that the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rain, leading to major disruption of traffic in the city and most parts of the Cape Winelands for Wednesday and Thursday.

In fact, SAWS reported that a series of cold fronts are to be expected over most parts of the Western and Northern Cape on Thursday, so we are not in the clear just yet, per Cape Talk.

The areas of most concern include the city centre, informal settlements, Paarl, the Garden Route and Overberg, where four Eskom pylons were lost.

Colin Deiner, Western Cape Government Chief Director of Disaster Management confirmed that no lives have been lost in the heavy flooding and they plan to keep it that way, preparing and assessing risks and deciding where to deploy people before the next cold front hits.

IOL reported how in Paarl, the Berg River burst its banks, causing extensive flooding in the Northern areas of the Winelands town. Meanwhile, Stellenbosch is also dealing with surging flood waters and overflowing rivers:

Stellenbosch…. Markotto Bridge 📹D. Brown pic.twitter.com/vvDGXjtlVi

— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) June 14, 2023

Our teams are responding to all requests as fast as possible. Contact our Municipal Control Room to report flood-related damages: 021 808 8999 or WhatsApp to 079 622 4722. A Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has been set up at the Control Room to handle all requests for assistance. https://t.co/cGMl7HjrCh

— Stellenbosch Municipality (@StellMun) June 14, 2023

Lots of water and flood damage in various parts of the municipality. Please report all issues to our Control Room: 021 808 8999 or WhatsApp 079 622 4722. pic.twitter.com/4ubdrQFrsN

— Stellenbosch Municipality (@StellMun) June 14, 2023

Western Cape – Eerste River at Stellenbosch pic.twitter.com/7prTilnRkT

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) June 14, 2023

The heavy rainfall has also caused the Jakkalsvlei Canal, as well as the Lourens and Keyser rivers to burst their banks, per The Citizen. The Keyser River caused flooding at the Johnson&Johnson factory in Tokai while the Lourens River overflow impacted the Eskom substation in Somerset West.

🚨 | HELDERBERG UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGE.

The @CityofCT is aware of an unplanned power outage affecting parts of Goldons Bay, Strand surrounding parts of the Helderberg area. The outage is as a result of flooding at Eskom’s Lourens River Substation that feeds supply to the area. pic.twitter.com/FSyIXFpIxX

— Beverley van Reenen (@vanReenen_Bev) June 14, 2023

#capestorm #flooding at Somerset West Victoria and N2@TrafficSA @EWNTraffic @netstartraffic @KFMza pic.twitter.com/PMonyvOH2P

— Shane Jeremy Hendricks (@ShaneJeremy1) June 14, 2023

Per EWN, the city’s Disaster Risk Management’s Charlotte Powell says the city officials and Eskom are working together to restore power in the Helderberg area:

“Kay’s Caravan Park in Strand is being evacuated and a local NGO is accommodating residents. A number of informal settlements in Philippi, Strand, Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Masiphumelele and Khayelitsha have been flooded. Several roadways have also been affected by temporary storm-water overflows, uprooted trees and mud on the road surface,” Powell said.

Other major roads in Cape Town have also become flooded:

Cape Town – Ottery Road: #Flooding near the M5 Highway #CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/rfvLkYLLav

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) June 14, 2023

Cape Town – Constantia Main Road: Mudslide and fallen tree at Eagles Nest #CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/9KVRV9WKOT

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) June 14, 2023

Please note Klipfontein road completely flooded from Athlone Police Station to Athlone bridge. As well as Jan Smuts between Cambridge road and Aden road. Few cars already stuck in the water on both roads. pic.twitter.com/BUH6l38nFi

— Ashraf Allie™🇿🇦🔴🔴🔴 (@ashrafallie2918) June 14, 2023

Please drive carefully so that you don’t end up in a situation like this:

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and other City departments are conducting assessments in high-risk areas, particularly informal settlements, and activating SASSA and other NGO partners to provide soft relief if needed.

Gift of the Givers said it’s been inundated with calls for help following a night of heavy rainfall and strong winds in parts of the Western Cape:

The humanitarian aid organisation’s Ali Sablay detailed: “The calls have been pouring in from 4am this morning. Gift of the Givers teams are currently rolling out humanitarian aid in Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Langa, Bishop Lavis, Mitchell’s Plain, and Strand.”

Take note of the emergency numbers in case you find yourself in a soggy pickle:

Cape Town area: 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Stellenbosch: 021 808 8999 or WhatsApp 079 622 4722.

[sources:news24&capetalk&iol&ewn&