According to the City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management, Cape storm 2024 has damaged 3,000 structures. Here’s additional information about the damage..
IOL reports that the powerful Cape storm of 2024 has caused damage to 3,000 buildings. Over the past 48 hours, violent storms have pounded the Western Cape, in response to severe warnings issued by the South African Weather Service. Cape storm 2024 left a path of devastation in their wake, leaving locals to clear and reconstruct what little remained.
It began, almost unbelievable, with flames on Sunday, April 7, fueled by gusts of wind of up to 100 km/h, which burnt numerous properties in Glencairn and Stellenbosch. The relentless gusts persisted, tearing off building tops and even flipping over cars on the roadway. Heavy rains and flooding arrived just as people living in informal settlements were beginning to deal with the loss and damage of their possessions.
On Monday, April 8, more than 50 mm of rain fell in some places in a single day. Due to Cape storm 2024, schools have been closed for the past two days as a precaution. Many are questioning if the storm’s intensity and a nearly identical cut-off low-pressure storm in September 2023 are actually related to climate change.
Cape Storm 2024
According to Charlotte Powell, the city’s spokesman for disaster risk management, officials are still keeping an eye on high-risk locations. They will provide the necessary engineering relief and humanitarian aid after Cape Storm 2024. Volunteers from the department are also on the scene helping with the damages.
There were 28 reports of structural damage brought on by strong winds. Delft, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Somerset West, Northpine, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Monwabisi, and Strand were among the communities included in this. Powell acknowledged that the estimated damage to 2 779 structures is pending further examination.
Rain Caused Flood Damage
There were reports of flooding in Gaba Village (Leonsdale/Epping), 12 buildings in Empolweni, Khayelitsha, and about 400 buildings in Monwabisi. Residents affected are currently taking refuge with relatives and family.
Furthermore, the Recreation, Parks, and Traffic Services received reports on almost 100 instances of uprooted or damaged trees. In addition, a number of city departments are handling many road closures throughout the city, broken pipes, and power outages.
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