The city of Cape Town's disaster management has assisted hundreds of families who were affected by the spate of heavy rains on Friday, and remains on full alert.
The weather services have predicted a wet, rainy weekend, with a strong possibility of floods in low-lying areas.
In Valhalla Park's 8th Avenue informal settlement, over 300 shacks were damaged by the rain. Charlotte Powell, of the disaster management centre, said residents were receiving food and blankets.
The Red Cross also assisted with the provision of over 40 food parcels and blankets and was monitoring the situation.
Powell said around 50 dwellings in the Freedom Farm informal settlement near Belhar were damaged. Residents were also receiving the necessary supplies.
In Kosovo, the informal settlement near Philippi, many residents were busy emptying water from their shacks, and faced grim prospects over the next few days.
Mngcete Migudu, who shares a one-roomed shack with his siblings, said Thursday night's rough weather had kept the family awake.
"When you wake up, you feel the water inside, on you. Your clothes and blankets are wet. Then we have to try to get most of the water out; it's a horrible thing," said Migudu.
While he understood that housing for all would take some time, he urged the government to build tarred roads in informal settlements. He believed this, with a proper drainage system, would alleviate the damage caused by floods.
Small children played in pools of water in the muddy roads, while cars struggled to navigate water-filled potholes.
Another resident, Roselene Dangaleze, appealed for plastic roof sheeting to keep the inside of her shack dry.
"It's so cold and wet. You have to throw everything out to try to get it dry again."
The South African Weather Service has issued a national warning for rough weather this weekend. Forecasts indicate rains will persist until Monday. Temperatures were not expected to rise above 15deg C; over the next few days.
Powell said the city's disaster management would remain on high alert over the weekend.
"We have our plans in place. Relief management includes moving people to emergency shelters. Non-governmental organisations are also on hand to provide food."
Wet weather is also creating havoc on city roads. Merle Lourens, spokeswoman for Cape Town traffic, said there were 14 accidents on Friday.
A taxi collided with a pole and seven people were injured.
Lourens urged motorists to keep a safe following distance and to switch on their headlights.
- Cape Argus
The weather services have predicted a wet, rainy weekend, with a strong possibility of floods in low-lying areas.
In Valhalla Park's 8th Avenue informal settlement, over 300 shacks were damaged by the rain. Charlotte Powell, of the disaster management centre, said residents were receiving food and blankets.
| The Red Cross also assisted with the provision of over 40 food parcels and blankets |
Powell said around 50 dwellings in the Freedom Farm informal settlement near Belhar were damaged. Residents were also receiving the necessary supplies.
In Kosovo, the informal settlement near Philippi, many residents were busy emptying water from their shacks, and faced grim prospects over the next few days.
Mngcete Migudu, who shares a one-roomed shack with his siblings, said Thursday night's rough weather had kept the family awake.
"When you wake up, you feel the water inside, on you. Your clothes and blankets are wet. Then we have to try to get most of the water out; it's a horrible thing," said Migudu.
| 'You have to throw everything out to try to get it dry again' |
Small children played in pools of water in the muddy roads, while cars struggled to navigate water-filled potholes.
Another resident, Roselene Dangaleze, appealed for plastic roof sheeting to keep the inside of her shack dry.
"It's so cold and wet. You have to throw everything out to try to get it dry again."
The South African Weather Service has issued a national warning for rough weather this weekend. Forecasts indicate rains will persist until Monday. Temperatures were not expected to rise above 15deg C; over the next few days.
Powell said the city's disaster management would remain on high alert over the weekend.
"We have our plans in place. Relief management includes moving people to emergency shelters. Non-governmental organisations are also on hand to provide food."
Wet weather is also creating havoc on city roads. Merle Lourens, spokeswoman for Cape Town traffic, said there were 14 accidents on Friday.
A taxi collided with a pole and seven people were injured.
Lourens urged motorists to keep a safe following distance and to switch on their headlights.
- Cape Argus
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