The City of Cape Town’s disaster response teams have assisted 36 000 people affected by flooding since last Monday.
|||Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s disaster response teams have assisted 36 000 people affected by flooding since last Monday. Macassar and Kosovo in Philippi have been identified as the worst affected.
Many people on the Peninsula were affected by the wet and cold weather over the weekend.
Mayor Patricia de Lille, along with members of her mayoral committee, and disaster risk management members visited the Kosovo informal settlement and Macassar.
Disaster risk management spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said 90 people had been displaced in Macassar and 30 of them slept in the community hall over the weekend.
“The area where people are affected is agricultural land. In this area the community erected structures within the flood line.”
He said flooding in the area was inevitable during winter and residents should take personal responsibility to safeguard their dwellings.
In Sections A, B and C of Kosovo 225 households, with 300 people, were affected. The informal settlement lies on a wetland.
During her visit to the area, De Lille gave instructions that the city departments should initiate immediate emergency measures, according to Solomons-Johannes.
“The city’s disaster response teams provided hot meals, clothing and blankets to the people.
The stormwater system was blocked due to the community dumping rubble and dirt that result in the blockage.”
“The stormwater drain had been unblocked using a high-pressure vacuum. On Monday the city would start relocating families to dry areas close to Kosovo, he said.
“Prior to the winter season initiatives and efforts were undertaken. However, due to political and community conflict, the process was stopped. The city will proceed with its intention to relocate the people to ensure that the affected households are provided with a safe environment.”
The city hoped to have done so by Thursday or Friday, Solomons-Johannes said.
Clear skies and warmer temperatures are predicted for Monday, but more rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The rest of the week will be partly cloudy and cold.
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
Cape Argus