Following the extreme weather over the Heritage Day long weekend that resulted in severe flooding in various areas across the Western Cape, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow level two weather warning for scattered to isolated showers and thundershowers.
Also read: Cape storm flood impact study identifies most-affected towns
According to SAWS, ‘widespread showers and rain is expected along the south coast from Friday into the weekend due to a ridging high-pressure system’.
Approximately 50 to 60mm (possibly reaching 70mm) of rainfall accumulation is forecasted over the Overberg municipality from Friday evening into Saturday.
SAWS explained that since the rivers are still fast flowing and the municipality is still recovering from the previous cut-off low pressure system, full recovery of the region, especially disruption to drinking water and damage to crops.
The weather warning is valid from 10pm tonight, 6 October 2023, until midnight on Saturday.
Possible weather-based impacts include:
- Localised rockfalls and mudslides
- Localised breakage of farm dam walls
- Difficult driving conditions on dirt roads and possible disruption to travel times on major roads
- Possible localised flooding of roads as well as formal and informal settlements
- Possible localised and short-term disruption to essential services
Meanwhile, as mop-up operations continue in the Overberg District, several roads remain closed:
- Buffelsjagrivier Bridge
- Chapman’s Peak
- Drew Bridge
- Hemel en Aarde, between Karwyderskraal and Hermanus
- Karwyderskraal to Caledon (access to local residents only)
- Karwyderskraal to Hermanus
- Malgas Pont
- McGregor to Robertson (vehicles with high ground clearance can use alternative route, Stormsvlei to Bushmanspad and Steenboksvlakte to Strykhoogtepas to Grootrivier Road)
- N2 Caledon to Botrivier (long-term closure)
- R316 Bredarsdorp to Arniston
- R320 Caledon to Hermanus
- R321 Grabouw Vyeboom (stop and go for light vehicles only)
- R406 Greyton to Stormsvlei
- R44 Arabella to Grabouw
- R44 Clarence Drive, Kleinmond to Gordon’s Bay
- R44 Clarence Drive, Rooi-Els to Gordon’s Bay
- R45 Franschhoek Pass
- Robertson to McGregor
- Van Der Stel Pass
- Villiersdorp to Caledon via Draaiberg Road
- Buffelsjag to Riviersonderend
Also read: