Relief operations continue as cold fronts lash parts of the country

Weather warnings have been upgraded for municipalities across the Western Cape as a series of cold fronts make landfall. At the same time, relief efforts are being stepped up, especially for the most vulnerable.

The South African Weather Service has warned of Level 8 disruptive rain for Thursday over the Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch areas.

The flooded Liesbeek River closed a section of Liesbeek Parkway in Mowbray on 9 July 2024. (Photo: Shelley Christians)

For almost a week, heavy rains have caused havoc across the Western and Northern Cape, with residents also battling damaging winds and snow in parts.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Weekend weather alert – Mom, kids forced to flee in dead of night after storms cause havoc in Cape Town

“We are concerned about the possibility of flooding, mudslides and rockfalls, and urge people to remain safe, avoid unnecessary travel and keep informed through reputable news outlets,” said Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell.

The City of Cape Town said on Tuesday afternoon that initial assessments indicated about 5,000 residents had been affected by the bad weather.

A flooded road in Cape Town after heavy rain on 9 July 2024. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre reported that several fronts are expected in the Western Cape until Friday, 12 July. (Photo: Gallo Images / Ziyaad Douglas)

Severe flooding caused by heavy rain and cold fronts in Cape Town on 9 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / ER Lombard)

“We’ve issued approximately 4,500 flood kits… assessments of requests received are continuing,” said Mayco Member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim.

“The city will be working nonstop this week so that we can help as many residents and as quickly as possible. The worst affected areas are Khayelitsha, Lwadle in Strand, Nomzamo, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mfuleni, Tafelisig and Vygieskraal,” he said.

On Tuesday, Daily Maverick reported that the series of cold fronts had reached the Northern and Eastern Cape, bringing snow to some areas.

Warnings of bitterly cold weather were issued for Cofimvaba, Matatiele and Engcobo, among other areas.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Storms rage on across SA as another cold front threatens more damaging winds, waves

Residents and city officials in Retreat, Cape Town during severe flooding caused by heavy rain on 9 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / ER Lombard)

A boundary wall was destroyed after the Cannon River flooded in Newlands Avenue, Cape Town after heavy rains on 9 July 2024. (Photo: Shelley Christians)

The Black River in Cape Town was unusually full after heavy rains. Here floodwaters rise close to the N2 bridge, seen from the Raapenberg turnoff on 9 July 2024. (Photo: Shelley Christians)

People take a look at the Liesbeek River in flood. (Photo: Shelley Christians)

Family outing, Eersterivier, Stellenbosch. (Photo: Anne Engelbrecht)

Shoprite’s mobile soup kitchen continues to serve meals to displaced people. On Tuesday, the company said it was dishing up around 6,000 warm meals in the Western Cape daily. The soup kitchen is helping communities in Khayelitsha, Philippi, Strand and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.

Ministry opens up church doors

Cape Town’s U-turn Homeless Ministries has also opened temporary safe spaces to people living on the streets. The organisation has teamed up with Christ Church Kenilworth to provide emergency shelter for the homeless.

U-turn’s chief communications officer, Valerie Govender, said the storms had led to a drastic increase in people seeking shelter at their homeless support centres.

“It is incredibly cold and wet and the wind is making it unbearable to find refuge on the cold streets. The makeshift tents and thin plastic that usually provide warmth are useless. To be sleeping rough on the streets on a normal day is hard enough, but these current conditions make it devastating to endure,” she said.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Thousands left homeless in Western Cape as gale-force winds and torrential rain wreak havoc

The organisation has asked for blankets, sleeping bags, canned food and thin mattresses. Donations can be dropped off at 155 2nd Avenue, Kenilworth. Doors will remain open until 9pm during the next four nights.

“As a charity organisation, the extent to which we can make a difference depends on donations and sponsorships from the public. We are therefore asking the community to respond generously to this emergency appeal,” said Govender.

The organisation told Daily Maverick on Tuesday that 105 spaces had so far been occupied, with another 30 spaces to be added in response to the storms.

Power cuts

Eskom has said that around 13,000 people are without power after the cold fronts caused multiple faults across the Western Cape. Affected areas include:

• Breerivier and Op-die-Berg (Ceres).


• Perdeberg/Gouda and surrounding farms.


• Houw Hoek, Grabouw and surrounding farms.


• Mandela Park (Khayelitsha), including Khayelitsha Hospital.


• Rawsonville and surrounding farms.


• Struisbaai.


• Tulbagh and surrounding farms.

Eskom said technicians had been dispatched to attend to the faults, but that road closures in some areas affected by flooding were restricting access. DM

To assist with the relief efforts, donations can be delivered to City of Cape Town drop-off points at the Goodwood, Lakeside, Ottery, Roeland Street, Sir Lowry’s Pass and Strand fire stations.

Donations to U-Turn Homeless Ministries can be made here and Gift of the Givers here, or call Gift of the Givers on 0800 786 911.