Cape Town: The Human Settlements Directorate of the City of Cape Town has issued more than 16,000 flood kits to dwellings in informal settlements and other types of housing, especially where the water is coming through the roofs.
Reportedly, the work on the ground continues to assess and assist the ones which are affected by the extraordinary stormy weather. It was experienced across the metro in the past few weeks, as more rain is expected over the weekend.
Over 37 areas across the metro have been impacted to a greater or lesser extent including Khayelitsha, Lwandle in Strand, Nomzamo, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mfuleni, Tafelsig and Vygieskraal, Ocean View and others.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements – Councillor Carl Pophaim said that the team Cape Town has conquered an incredible achievement. He highlighted that more than 16,000 flood kits were issued to those who most need them.
“Unfortunately, the rains continue and we are on the ground, conducting the assessments and helping those in need. We have been able to help where we can with kits, comprising plastic sheeting and nails, relocations in some instances and milling material delivered to soak up the water where possible,” said Pophaim.
He emphasised that an important focus is on areas where the water will not dissipate over the next few weeks, this means looking at areas such as dams, wetlands and water catchment areas where people have settled.
According to him, the City of Cape Town officials are on the ground advising residents not to settle on these types of land due to the health and safety risks. Often, when people settle in these areas, the land looks dry, but will likely flood. I have requested senior informal settlements management to evaluate all high risk informal settlements in low lying areas and floodplains in order to urgently develop a relocation strategy detailing what will be required to move the residents out of these spaces.
The initial assessments indicated that 179 settlements across the metro are located in areas close to waterbodies and/or below the flood line which makes them more vulnerable to flooding.
Moreover, due to the centralisation of disaster relief and funding with the national ministry, the City of Cape Town carries on with assessments so that lists of those needing help can be sent to the national ministry.
Significantly, the City continues to advocate for the disaster mandate and funding to be devolved to the City as a competent government so that it can again provide more direct relief, in shorter spaces of time, as was the case until a few years ago.