Rain, floods set to hit the Cape

Dam levels down after high winds and hot weather

THE South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning of severe weather conditions set to hit the Mother City in the coming days. Heavy rain and flooding are expected over the Eden District and eastern parts of the Overberg which will continue until later today.

According to SAWS, a steep upper trough was situated west of the country yesterday. This trough was expected to move over the western parts of the country from yesterday afternoon. Rain and showers were also expected to move in over the Southern Cape yesterday morning which spread northwards and eastwards into the Western Cape interior towards the afternoon.

Rainfall amounts ranging between 10 and 20mm were expected across most of the Western Cape yesterday with 30-40mm in places over the Southern Cape.

Heavy rain is likely, mainly over the coastal areas, as well as the mountainous regions of the Eden District. Heavier downpours of rain are expected over Eden District until this morning. Rainfall was expected to persist into today, with rainfall amounts of 5-10mm across most of the province but clearing from the west.

A further 20-30mm can be expected in places over the Eden District. Rain will persist for the eastern parts of the province for tomorrow morning, clearing from the afternoon.

The City of Cape Town said its dam levels had declined by 1% over the past week because of high winds and hot weather conditions which cause evaporation.

“We have managed to halve Cape Town’s water usage with the help of 51% of our users, who have put tremendous effort into saving water. We will only get through this crisis together. To make this partnership work even more effectively, I appeal to all water users, especially the 49% who are not saving water yet, to join us all as we escalate efforts to beat this drought. Your help is vital and we need you to come on board with Team Cape Town,” said mayor Patricia de Lille. –

I APPEAL TO ALL WATER USERS TO JOIN US AS WE ESCALATE EFFORTS TO BEAT THIS DROUGHT

PICTURE: CINDY WAXA/ANA NEEDING A FILL: As part of the City of Cape Town’s Water Resilience Plan to bring alternative supply sources online, the City has commissioned the infrastructure that supplies water from springs to the Molteno reservoir in Oranjezicht to increase...