The City’s Human Settlements Directorate has already issued more than 10 000 flood kits and continues to issue even more to reduce the impact of flooding caused by the unprecedented levels of rain experienced across the metro since last week. These kits are distributed across the metro but especially in more vulnerable areas such as informal settlements where residents have often settled in flood-prone areas or wetlands.

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‘We have already delivered a whopping 10 000 flood kits to affected residents. Unfortunately, due to the continued unprecedented rainfall, the need continues to rise. The scale and severity of recent storms have been unparalleled but we have been able to help where we can with kits, relocations carried out and milling material delivered to soak up the water where possible. And with even more rainfall expected over the next few days, our teams are on standby to assist further. I’ve visited areas across the metro to assess conditions on the ground. Various City teams including Human Settlements, Disaster Risk Management, Basic Service and Safety and Security teams especially have been out to provide assistance to Cape Town’s residents.

‘Our assessments continue but the sheer volume of residents impacted is an important factor. A key focus is on areas where the water will not lessen over the next few weeks – this means looking at areas such as dams, wetlands and water catchment areas where people have settled. The City is on the ground advising residents not to settle on these types of land due to the health and safety risks. Often, in summer the land looks dry, but will likely flood.

‘Due to the centralisation of disaster relief and funding with the national ministry, the City carries on to do assessments so that lists of those needing help can be sent to the national ministry. Importantly, the City continues to advocate for the disaster mandate and funding to be devolved to the City as a competent government so that the City can again provide more direct relief, in shorter spaces of time, as was the case until a few years ago. Due to funding cuts, and the subsequent centralisation of disaster mandates and funding with the Ministry, the City no longer has the reach it used to have, to assist residents with material relief.

‘I have coordinated senior informal settlements management to evaluate all high risk informal settlements in low lying areas and floodplains in order to urgently develop a pragmatic relocation strategy detailing what will be required to move our residents out of these spaces sustainably.

‘Thank you to our teams for their hard work and commitment. We encourage Capetonians to make use of the donation facilities and to support relief organisations. As Team Cape Town we can get through this difficult time, together,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member, Councillor Carl Pophaim.

Some 37 areas across the metro have been impacted to a greater or lesser extent including Khayelitsha, Lwandle in Strand, Nomzamo, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mfuleni, Tafelsig and Vygieskraal, Ocean View, among others.

Storm-related Donation Drop-off points:

·       Goodwood Fire Station

·       Lakeside Fire Station

·       Ottery Fire Station

·       Roeland Street Fire Station

·       Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station

·       Strand Fire Station

Or call the Disaster Risk Management Centre donations line directly on 021 597 5042 (08:00 – 18:00). Email:disaster.donations@capetown.gov.za

Emergencies can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by calling 021 480 7700.

Supplied by: City of Cape Town and Photo by NASA on Unsplash