Wednesday, August 19, 2009

W Cape: More floods to come

AT LEAST 300 shacks in Cape Town’s Masiphumelele township were submerged when heavy rains lashed Western Cape yesterday.

In less than seven hours, 50mm of rain fell on Cape Town and surrounding areas, flooding homes and roads.

By midday, Masiphumelele residents had called on the city’s disaster risk and management centre for assistance.

“Residents were given blankets and food. They have not yet been evacuated and are currently trying to mop up, though the rain continues,” said centre spokeswoman Charlotte Powell.

Disaster management closed parts of the N1 and M5 highways as debris from nearby construction sites was washed onto them.

Sandbags were placed on slopes in Hout Bay and Hangberg to prevent mudslides.

The SA Weather Service has reported that icy winds and heavy rain will continue in Western Cape until tomorrow, and snow is expected to fall on high ground overnight.

Forecaster Carlton Fillis said: “We have sent out a warning about flooding and we also want people to know that it is going to be very cold because of the wind.” - The Times

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