Cape Town is bracing for a severe storm, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warning of heavy rain, strong winds, and freezing temperatures from Sunday into Monday. The SAWS issued an Orange Level 6 warning for damaging winds and waves affecting parts of the Western and Northern Cape from May 10 to 12, which was later upgraded to a Level 8 warning, with between 200mm and 300mm of rain expected in the Boland region over the next 24 hours.
According to the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, the first of the two frontal systems has made landfall, but a more powerful system is expected overnight into tomorrow morning. The City’s Disaster Coordinating Team (DCT) has been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate the City’s responses. Lategan warned that the situation is expected to worsen, with damaging winds, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h, and flooding expected in formal and informal settlements, flooded roads, and dangerous driving conditions.
Severe Weather Warnings and School Closures
A number of schools in the Cape Winelands Education District will be closed on Monday due to adverse weather affecting the province. Education MEC David Maynier said the decision was taken in the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the SAWS. All public ordinary and special needs schools in Circuits 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be closed due to the severe weather warnings in these areas, including Worcester, Ceres, Rawsonville, Tulbagh, and Hex River Valley.
For more information on the storm and its impact, visit the South African Weather Service website. The City of Cape Town’s website also provides updates on the storm and the City’s response to it, including information on disaster risk management.
Preparations and Safety Measures
In preparation for the storm, residents are advised to take necessary safety measures, including reducing speed and increasing following distances while driving, and driving with headlights on to increase visibility. The City’s DCT has also been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate the City’s responses. Residents can stay informed about the storm and its impact through the City’s website and social media channels.
- Reduce speed and increase following distances while driving
- Drive with headlights on to increase visibility
- Avoid flooded areas and roads
- Stay informed about the storm and its impact through the City’s website and social media channels
