Cape Town – The City of Cape Town is bracing for another round of heavy rainfall this weekend, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing an orange level 5 disruptive rainfall warning for Saturday. This latest weather alert comes hot on the heels of a month of significant rainfall, leaving the city's soil and waterways saturated and vulnerable to flooding.
The warning, which signifies the potential for torrential rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding, has sent a ripple of concern through the city. Residents are being urged to take heed of the advisory and implement precautionary measures to protect their properties from the potential impact of the storm.
"We advise the public to please take heed of the current advisory and to start implementing any possible mitigation measures around their properties in the interim," the City said in a statement. "This would include clearing out drainage systems and cleaning gutters, removing dead tree branches and other obstructions, and digging trenches around their homes to divert water away."
The City has already taken steps to prepare for the anticipated storm, with all essential services placed on standby to respond to any weather-related emergencies. The City's Disaster Risk Management Centre is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with various departments to ensure a swift and effective response.
The impending storm has also forced the cancellation of the popular Kuier@TheCastle event, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday. The City, citing safety concerns, made the difficult decision to cancel the event, acknowledging the potential risks posed by the predicted high winds.
"Due to very severe weather alerts for Saturday, predicting high winds, we have consulted our safety team and decided to cancel the event," the City stated. "The safety of our staff, vendors, and the public is our top priority. Given the recent flooding and damage this winter, we believe this is the best decision for everyone's safety."
