By Staff Writer
Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds hit parts of the Western Cape on Sunday – leaving thousands of people displaced.
The disruptive weather conditions, however, began on Wednesday night when residents from Monwabisi Park informal settlement in Khayelitsha were woken by a loud banging sound as gusting winds ripped off their roofs – leaving more than 4 000 residents with the daunting task of rebuilding before Sunday’s storm.
On Thursday evening, more residents in several Cape informal settlements were affected as heavy rain damaged their shacks overnight.
The affected include Monwabisi Park and New Monwabisi Park which had been affected the night before, Zamimpilo, New Culture, New Dawn and Kuyasa, Klapmuts and Phillipi on Friday.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay says the numbers of residents needing help are on the rise.
“Here we see people reaching out for help. Their homes and food have been contaminated, washed away and for the next coming few days it’s looking bleak for these people.” Sablay said.
“Our phones have not stopped ringing and Lwandle Nomzamo for example is 50% under water,” he added.
He said close to 2 000 people have been affected in that area alone.
Western Cape Local Government spokesperson Wouter Kriel said services are being activated to support those affected.
“We have received a level four warning for heavy rain and potential flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape on Sunday.
“Then we also have weather warnings for snow and for high waves going into the rest of the week. The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre and all our partners are on standby for the various incidents anticipated,” Kriel said.
Compiled by Staff Writer
Pictured above: Strong winds blew shacks away in Khayelitsha’s ward 99 on Saturday night.
Source: Gift of the Givers
