Severe storms cause widespread flooding and displacement across Western Cape, with relief teams rushing to assist thousands of affected residents. Image: eNCA/Kevin Brandt
(The Post News)- Heavy overnight downpours have caused severe flooding and displacement across the Cape Flats and nearby suburbs, affecting over 3,000 residents. Roads have been submerged, homes damaged, and disaster response teams are actively providing relief in both formal and informal settlements.
Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management, confirmed that teams have been deployed to assess the full extent of the damage and identify the necessary assistance. Several areas, including Mfuleni, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha, have been severely affected.
In particular, the Vygieskraal canal burst its banks, flooding roads in the Athlone and Belgravia areas. The Vygieskraal informal settlement suffered extensive damage, with approximately 500 structures flooded, impacting around 2,000 residents.
Additionally, about 200 buildings on Haji Ebrahim Crescent were damaged, affecting close to 1,000 people. Flooding in approximately 150 RDP homes displaced nearly 750 residents in the same area.
Powell highlighted the urgent need for assistance, including sandbags, plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets, milling, and hot meals to support those impacted by the storms.
In response, Gift of the Givers has launched an emergency relief operation to aid the displaced. Project coordinator Ali Sablay reported that early this morning, distress calls and WhatsApp messages began flooding in, many accompanied by heartbreaking photos showing severe home damage and widespread food spoilage.
Videos circulating on social media platforms like TikTok show residents across Cape Town’s informal settlements struggling to remove floodwaters from their homes.
Gift of the Givers has deployed teams to assist residents in multiple areas, including Khayelitsha, Langa, Gugulethu, KTC, Nyanga, Philippi and Philippi East, Heideveld, Chris Nissan Park, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Valhalla Park, and Mfuleni.
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