Cape Town storm floods 26 informal settlements and damages more than 10 000 structures

The Western Cape storm has triggered widespread flooding across Cape Town, inundating informal settlements, damaging infrastructure and affecting thousands of residents. Charlotte Powell, the disaster risk management spokesperson for the City of Cape Town, said flooding had been reported across at least 26 informal settlements in the metro. “Flooding has been reported in at least 26 informal areas around the city,” she said. “Assessments to date show that 10 703 structures have sustained weather-related impacts, affecting approximately 41 635 persons.” Humanitarian relief partners were on the ground. “We are working closely with our humanitarian relief partners who have started assisting with meals and blankets in some of the affected areas — this relief will be extended as assessments are concluded,” she said. Powell said damage assessments were being submitted to the South African Social Security Agency and the national department of human settlements to coordinate further assistance. After assessing the “magnitude and severity” of the system and consultations with provincial disaster management centres and other organs of state, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has classified the severe weather as a national disaster. Since 4 May, a combination of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall has affected the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga, prompting a coordinated national response. NDMC head Dr Elias Sithole said the classification would allow the government to intensify coordination across all spheres of government and strengthen relief and recovery operations. Authorities have confirmed multiple deaths linked to the severe weather, with reports suggesting the national death toll has risen to at least 10 as flooding and storm damage continue across several provinces. In Cape Town, city officials said multiple roads across the metro were affected, with teams deployed inPhola Park, Fisan