In light of the country’s ongoing battle with the energy crisis, residents of the Western Cape are once again being advised to get ready for a harsh winter season as well as power outages.
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The Western Cape Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning’s Anton Bredell stated that in addition to preparing for the upcoming cold season, the provincial government was also bracing itself for ongoing power outages that would only impede its efforts to assist residents who are already struggling to cope with the lack of access to power.
On Wednesday, Bredell expressed this opinion while briefing the Provincial Legislature from the Disaster Management Centre.
He declared that winter had arrived and that the Western Cape would be severely affected by the first powerful winter cold front of the year.
According to the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, the cold front will move in on Thursday afternoon, with the following rainfall predicted:
‘The South Coast can expect 40-50mm from Friday to Sunday, while Cape Town can expect 10-20mm from Thursday into Friday, and the Cape Winelands can expect 30mm from Thursday to Saturday.’
‘Very cold conditions are predicted for high-lying areas of the interior with temperatures averaging 10⁰C on Friday and Saturday. A light dusting of snow is possible overnight on Thursday and Friday on the high mountain peaks. Temperatures should start to increase on Sunday,’ the department revealed.
Bredell added that the Western Cape government had planned and prepared for all of its disaster management centres in the province to be able to address winter challenges like flooding or wind damage, especially during prolonged loadshedding. Cold winter conditions combined with loadshedding provide for a new set of risks when viewed from a disaster risk management perspective.
‘Our rescue services had backup power and sufficient fuel reserves to respond when needed. We have also transferred R89 million to municipalities to procure backup generators to safeguard essential water and sewage systems.’
‘Our provincial fire services are also at the ready. In summer, our focus is on wildfires. In winter, however, our focus changes to urban fires, especially in informal settlements, where a single cooking fire accident can quickly spread to the destruction of an entire settlement.’
‘With the reduced availability of electricity, more people will use open fires to cook, wood or gas fires to heat their homes. This brings additional fire risks for established neighbourhoods as well as informal settlements.’
‘While the department has up to date installed more than 13 000 smoke alarms in informal settlements in this regard, we are urging all residents to be mindful when using open fires, gas heating, or candles in their homes this winter.’
‘Investing in a smoke alarm will be money well spent to keep your family safe this winter,’ Bredell said.
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