Storms leave trail of woe
Stormy weather has caused widespread flooding, damage and misery across the city with conditions not expected to let up until Sunday.
Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Driftsands, Joe Slovo Park in Milnerton, Dunoon, Masiphumelele, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village and Nomzamo in Strand have all been hit by flooding, the City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said on Tuesday, adding that they had been inundated with service requests since Sunday.
“Assessments by the City’s informal settlements management department, assisted by the Disaster Risk Management Centre, are ongoing, and the total number of affected residents is being determined,” she said, adding that the South African Weather Service had issued an Orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain and damaging waves, for Tuesday July 9, leading to flooding and possible mudslides.
Volunteers had been mobilised to help affected communities, and extra staff would help at City call centres to deal with service requests.
“In addition, catchment management will monitor the levels of rivers and dams closely. Recreation and parks will have additional crews on standby to address any uprooted trees,” she added.
Residents of the Enkandla shanty town in Khayelitsha are among some of the hardest hit by the bad weather as many are still reeling from the thunderstorm and strong winds that pummelled the community last Thursday, destroying some 800 shacks, according to Ms Powell, and leaving thousands homeless.
Vukani was on the scene shortly after the storm hit, and we found many struggling to grasp the scale of its destruction.
Thobeka Zondani, who lives with her two children, said rain had heralded the arrival of strong winds followed by lighting.
She had just turned off her paraffin heater at around 10pm when she heard the wind roaring. It sounded like a huge aeroplane soaring over her roof, she said.
“I quickly jumped off the bed and told my children, ‘Let’s lie down on the floor.’
“All of sudden, I felt sand on my face, and when I opened my eyes a minute later, I saw the sky. Hayibo! My shack was gone, and all the zinc had been pulled away. We were lucky that it did not fall on us.
“As much as I have lost everything, I'm glad that we were not injured, but I'm hurt as I do not have any slightest idea how to rebuild my shack.”
She urged the government to intervene and deliver much-needed help.
Sindiswa Gocinin said the storm’s wind had lasted less than a minute, but it had left a trail of destruction.
“I was already in bed with my husband when our shack flew away while we were looking at it. We had to sleep outside to safeguard our belongings, which were damaged. This is one of the most disastrous thunderstorms that I have ever experienced.”
Gift of the Givers, along with other organisations and various businesses, has come to the aid of the community, providing meals and other basic needs.
Ward councillor Lonwabo Mqina complained that the City had turned down his requests for storm victims to shelter at a vacant Monwabisi Beach resort and that the mayoral committee member for human settlements Carl Pophaim and other City officials had not visited the area.
Mr Pophaim said the City had sent officials to assess the area and see what action was needed, and he would likely visit Enkandla in the coming days.
Ms Powell said: “We have reached out to the City’s informal settlements management department and the national Human Settlements Department for assistance with the structural damage caused; however, some affected persons have already started repairing their structures.”
