Cape Town Communities Impacted by Floods

Heavy Rainfall Causes Severe Flooding in Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa – Heavy rainfall on Thursday has left dozens of communities in Cape Town severely waterlogged. The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre reports that over 40 informal settlements, encompassing more than 1,200 structures, have been flooded, impacting over 2,000 residents.
Significant flooding has also been reported in other parts of the Western Cape. Areas affected include Khayelitsha, Strand, Gugulethu, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Wallacedene, Vygieskraal, Bloekombos, and Hout Bay.
Residents, such as Broandwell Silala, have taken measures to mitigate the flooding by piling bricks at doorways. Community leaders like Noxolo Silala from Simanyene in Lwandle highlight ongoing issues with nearby canals flooding during winter, posing dangers to children commuting to school and leaving families without proper heating.
Thulani Nonyati, a leader in New Village, Nomzamo, stresses the need for government assistance to formalize the area or build houses, as current relocation plans for shack dwellers have stalled. Efforts to clear blockages in canals are ongoing, but the need for more substantial support remains critical as nearly 200 people seek refuge in overcrowded community halls.
Picture Credits: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp