News24 | More cold, wet weather to lash Western Cape over the weekend

Rainfall of between 20 to 30mm is expected in the Western Cape over the weekend.

• More cold and wet weather is expected in the Western Cape over the weekend.
• Between 20 and 30mm of rain is expected.
• Authorities are on high alert for flooding and mudslides, with a week of wet weather having left the ground saturated.

The Western Cape is expecting around 20 to 30mm of rain as more severe weather lashes the province.

A series of cold fronts is expected to affect the province from Friday to Sunday. The most significant cold front is forecast to make landfall on Friday, bringing heavy downpours, strong winds, and the risk of flooding in several areas. A second cold front is expected on Sunday.

According to Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell, the provincial Disaster Management Centre (DMC), as well as district centres, had been activated.

Bredell said the DMC had been briefed by the South African Weather Services (SAWS) about the anticipated disruptive rainfall over large parts of the province. The SAWS has released an advisory warning that very cold, wet and windy conditions can be expected over the Western Cape into Sunday. Weather warnings are in place for disruptive rainfall, damaging winds and damaging waves.

“These warnings follow several days of significant rainfall that have already saturated soils across the province,” said Bredell.

“The forecasted rainfall may lead to flooding, mudslides, rockfalls, and falling trees, while the expected strong winds and wave action may cause hazardous conditions along the coast.”

Bredell added that rescue workers were on standby to assist with flooding and mudslides, especially in low-lying areas and communities living alongside rivers.

He said the DMC had carried out modelling to anticipate which areas were likely to be affected, and had deployed resources to those areas. The DMC would continue to monitor the conditions, especially as weather patterns could shift very quickly.

Bredell said that traffic officials were also on standby, and urged motorists to be extra cautious.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said that unsafe road conditions – including reduced visibility, waterlogged surfaces, and flooding of low-lying areas and bridges – could be expected.

“We call on all residents and visitors to the Western Cape to prioritise safety as inclement weather conditions set in. Our Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement officers will monitor high-risk routes, attend to road closures where needed, and respond to incidents to keep our road network as safe as possible. We ask all road users to do their part by driving responsibly and remaining alert,” he added.

Sileku said the Western Cape and local traffic officers remained on high alert and would provide assistance where needed.

READ | Cold front brings rain, snow, and extreme weather across SA

Bredell added that the Department of Water and Sanitation had confirmed that provincial dam levels had increased from 60% to 67% following recent rainfall.

As a precautionary measure, the department had increased the frequency of its dam monitoring efforts across the province, he said.

“We welcome the boost to our water resources, but we remain alert to the risks associated with these weather systems.

“We call on farmers and landowners to regularly inspect their dams and water infrastructure, and to report any signs of strain or overflow to their local disaster centres.”