South Africans can expect cold and wet weather across much of South Africa over the next week. An intense low-pressure system is expected to cause widespread showers and thunderstorms across the country.
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The South African Weather Service warns that the weather system, known as a cut-off low, is known to cause flooding, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms.
A powerful storm kept Western Cape rescue services on high alert overnight, with several fires, heavy rains and strong winds causing extensive damage and displacing hundreds of residents throughout the province.
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The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services said all efforts are being made to put out a devastating fire that engulfed the Glencairn area near Main Road on Sunday.
‘We have over 20 firefighting resources on scene with an Incident Management Team setup in the Main Road to coordinate overall strategic decisions,’ said spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
Carelse stated that the flames were fanned by gale-force winds and were spreading throughout Echo Road properties.
‘To maximise our efforts, the fire area was divided into three Divisions, each concentrating on saving property and minimising the extent of the damage caused by the fire,’ he added.
The City of Cape Town initially estimated that the Glencairn fire had destroyed at least nine properties; however, Carelse stated that three formal dwellings were destroyed and four were partially damaged.
‘Staff also had to evacuate two females from their home as [it] collapsed’.
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He also mentioned that city workers were dealing with rockfalls as a result of the inclement weather.
Meanwhile, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced that emergency and rescue teams have been mobilised in response to the storm that hit the city on Sunday evening.
In a video message posted on the city’s Facebook page on Sunday, Hill-Lewis stated that the City’s first responders had already arrived in Fish Hoek, where a fire had destroyed several homes.
‘We urge all residents to stay indoors and to avoid all unnecessary travel,’ he said.
Hill-Lewis reminded residents of school closures in the Helderberg district on Monday and encouraged them to report any incidents to the city.
Gale-force winds wreaked havoc on Sunday afternoon in Stellenbosch, Somerset West and parts of the Overberg.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has announced that all schools in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, and Helderberg will be closed on Monday amid warnings of heavy downpours expected for tomorrow.
Our teams are on high alert. ⚠️
Please stay safe! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/pMzOtW7App
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) April 7, 2024
He says that emergency services are on standby. Strong winds continue to buffet the province.
Eskom has also announced that bad weather has caused a significant backlog of faults in parts of the Western Cape. Eskom warns that this could result in extended power outages and restoration times.
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Picture: Supplied