WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA — Persistent rains caused by a severe cut-off low-pressure system have led to destruction in the Western Cape, resulting in extensive infrastructure damage and flooding.
Disaster Management Services in the Southern Cape region, especially the Garden Route and Central Karoo districts, are on red alert due to extensive flooding and destruction. Severe weather conditions have resulted in power outages, the closure of several routes, and flooding of residents’ homes along riverbanks. Important routes in George have been sealed off after the floods submerged the entire road, while informal settlements situated along the Great Brak River remain extensively flooded.
The economic impact in the Western Cape Province is increasing significantly. “We’ve just concluded our costings regarding damages; we have $38.9 million worth of damages solely on municipal infrastructure. When I take into account the road infrastructure of the Western Cape, I think we are approaching $121 million already,” says Gerhard Otto, Chief of Garden Route Disaster Management.
Sadly, reports confirmed that a person had been washed away in the Klip River while trying to cross it at Waboomskraal. There are also worries about isolated communities. “Some people are trapped where they cannot reach any place to get food or medical aid. We need to make sure we reach them,” Otto said.
In Mossel Bay, people are closely monitoring the rise in water levels with great concern. As it stands, the nearby Wolwedans Dam was operating at 103% capacity last week and is now overflowing, raising fears that releasing water from the sluices will cause further downstream destruction.
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