Over the past two weeks’ heavy rainfall, the City of Cape Town teams conducted hundreds of onsite assessments to see what assistance could be provided to flood-affected residents residing in low-lying informal settlements. Because of the low-lying terrain, and the multiple severe storms, the water takes some time to dissipate and some areas have remained waterlogged. City teams have also provided more than 2 500 flood assistance packets, and other materials and support where it has been possible to do so. The City has been engaging with various support organisations to help with soft relief. With more rain expected from this evening, City teams are monitoring the low-lying areas at risk of further flooding. Some settlements have been created on unsuitable land, prone to flooding, such as dams and retention ponds. This makes flood relief unfeasible in many instances. Read more below:

‘Prior to the winter rains, the City implemented flood-mitigation measures such as digging trenches, delivering milling material to raise the ground level and providing plastic sheeting and sandbags where possible. These interventions continue. The City continues to work on obtaining soft relief from relief organisations and the South African Social Security Agency. Thank you to our Disaster Management, Transport and Informal Settlements teams, especially for their commitment during trying times.

‘City teams remain on standby. We encourage residents who are at risk of experiencing localised flooding, to please consider some interventions, such as making their own sandbags, digging trenches to lead water away from entrances of dwellings and to use plastic and other waterproofing materials where possible,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

Help to reduce flood risk:

Clear out drainage systems

Raise the floor level of a structure so that it is higher than the natural ground level\

Make sandbags

Dig trenches around the house to divert water away from the house

Report blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping – illegal dumping in the stormwater canals and sewers make flooding worse

Waterproof roofs, clear gutters and remove dead tree branches

How to make a sandbag:

Cut off the arms of a long-sleeved top and tie the bottom end to close it

Fill up with sand. If you don’t have enough sand, use a mixture of sand and soil

Close the top end and place the sandbag outside and inside the door or doorway

If you do not have a long-sleeved top, you can use old pillow cases or the legs of long pants filled and tied on either of the open ends or black bags

The risk of fires during winter especially is also huge. Never leave an open flame unattended.

Emergencies can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialing 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

Source: City of Cape Town