Intense cold front wreaks havoc in Cape Town
The cold front which made landfall in Cape Town on Monday morning has already wreaked havoc across the metropole.
CAPE TOWN, July 12 (ANA) – A cold front made landfall in Cape Town on Monday morning that has already wreaked havoc across the metropole.
According to the South African Weather Service, the intense cold front will bring extreme cold conditions to the rest of the country this week.
A level 2 warning was released from the weather service for winds and waves expected between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Agulhas from Monday afternoon, from where it is expected to spread to the Eastern Cape by the evening.
This could result in boats and other vessels capsizing or experiencing difficulty with navigation, the weather service said.
It reported a light dusting of snow on the Swartberg Mountains situated between Oudtshoorn and De Rust in the Western Cape.
“Maximum temperatures will struggle to reach 10°C over the western, southern and central interior,” the weather service said.
The City of Cape Town has appealed to residents to assist in reducing the risk of flooding by clearing out drainage systems, making sandbags, digging trenches around their homes to divert water and to report blocked drains.
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) spokesperson Charlotte Powell said the intense cold front includes disruptive rainfall and strong winds, with wave heights up to six metres.
She said the City of Cape Town services are on standby to deal with any impacts related to the predicted adverse weather conditions, such as blocked drains, uprooted trees and flooded roadways.
“Cape Town has experienced significant rainfall in the past two weeks, and some areas remain waterlogged. The City is providing as much assistance as possible to affected communities,” Powell said.
Motorists travelling along the N1 highway could be seen navigating their way through flooding.
Rockfalls have also been reported and motorists have been advised to use alternative routes.
No injuries have been reported.
“Mopping-up operations are continuing across the city. The worst-affected areas are informal settlements in Khayelitsha, Philippi and Strand.
“The City’s Transport Department is providing sand and milling where it is possible to do so to raise floor levels.
“Informal Settlement Management is busy with assessments and will provide flood kits,” Powell said.
She said two large trees were uprooted in Kloof Road and Bantry Bay and the Recreation and Parks Department was busy removing them.
Any weather-related emergencies can be directed to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
