RAIN BRINGS PAIN

AN YSIGE cold front hit Kapenaars with bone-chilling temperatures and devastating floods yesterday.

And while forecasts by the South African Weather Service indicate that the worst is over, the rain is expected to continue through to Sunday evening.

Flooding was reported up and down the Mother City – from Kommetjie to Paarden Eiland.

Yesterday morning, traffic from the M5 to the N1 was disrupted by flooding on the flyover near Paarden Eiland. 

Townships like Khayelitsha, Vygieskraal, Parkwood, Bonnytoun, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and Overcome Heights took the brunt of the downpours.

The City of Cape Town’s spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management, Sonica Lategan, said: “Reports have been received from several informal settlement areas throughout the afternoon – some assessments have already taken place – these will continue at first light tomorrow.

“Initial estimates from Vygieskraal is that some 269 structures have been impacted, affecting around 600 people. In Voël Street, Belgravia, 55 structures have been flooded. 

“The Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief are assisting affected residents in Vygieskraal and Belgravia.”

She urged mense to report emergency incidents to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700.

Traffic alerts were shared on social media, with residents from Elsies River, Bergvliet, Ottery, Claremont and Strandfontein all posting footage of the impact of the floods.

Baden Powell Drive was one of the worst-hit thoroughfares, with flooding reported near to Stranfontein Pavillion and from the first circle toward Sunrise Circle.

Ottery Centre’s parking lot was onder water, with video footage showing some cars with water coming up to their grills.

The City’s Traffic Services issued updates of flooding throughout the day, including on Greenwich Road in Diep River, Govan Mbeki and Edward Makele in Gugulethu, Klipfontein Road in Gugulethu and Manitoba Close in Portlands, Mitchells Plain.

Traffic Services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout warned drivers to be alert in the coming days, with the roads expected to be wet for the rest of the week.

She said: “The wet conditions are expected to continue for the next few days.  

Motorists are urged to watch their speed and following distance, and to drive with their headlights on.”