Western Cape Government issues warning to avoid all low water crossings due to the risk of flooding
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning today issued a warning to avoid all low-level water crossings and bridges in the Western Cape.
“The heavy and consistent rainfall over large parts of the province has led to most of our dams being at full capacity, and many rivers are full or overflowing. Some dams, such as the Wemmershoek and Clan William dams, are also releasing large volumes of water downstream to protect their structural integrity and make capacity available for the next cold front and heavy rain which is expected to make landfall later tonight.
Minister Bredell said that large bridges on the main national and provincial roads have visible law enforcement present to guide motorists, but there are many smaller river crossings throughout the province that cannot be monitored. “For your own safety, please avoid ALL river crossings at this stage. Flash floods cannot currently be predicted and can become lethal in seconds if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre held its 5th Severe Weather Situation meeting today. The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (WC: PDMC) together with the Metro and the Municipal Disaster Management Centres as well as all other stakeholders, are co-ordinating flood response activities across the province. Minister Bredell would like to thank residents across the province for cooperating with disaster management and law enforcement officials as they work tirelessly to respond to the changing situation. Thank you also to our countless volunteers and NGO organisations who are assisting with the humanitarian responses.
Contact:
Wouter Kriel
Spokesperson for Minister Anton Bredell
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Cell: 079 694 3085
