Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Cape rains keep disaster teams alert

Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management remained on high alert on Tuesday after a night of heavy rainfall but said areas prone to flooding had not been badly affected.

Teams had been sent to Kosovo, in Philippi, where last month 500 shacks had been left standing in 15 centimetres of water, but on Tuesday Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for disaster management, said residents there had not needed assistance from the city.

"The metropole was obviously wet but there was no flooding. It wasn't as bad as (last month). We haven't had calls from the public or councillors of areas," she said.

Powell said if the SA Weather Service predicted the approach of a cold front or wet conditions, the relevant city employees would be notified in order to prepare to help residents who might be affected.

Meanwhile, one major accident was reported early on Tuesday and the city's traffic spokesperson, Merle Lourens, said the wet conditions may have played a role in it.

Seven people were slightly injured when a bus crashed into a taxi on Vanguard Drive near Heideveld. Lourens said police were investigating. No other incidents had been reported.

The weather service predicted a maximum temperature of 18°C for today with slight morning showers. - Cape Times

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