City of Cape Town released Do’s and Don’ts about rivers and canals during the inclement weather. The continuous heavy rainfall in Cape Town has resulted in filling of some rivers and canals in various areas to their capacity and even overflowing, resulting in flooding.
The areas include regions of Liesbeek River, Grootsboskloof River, Spaanschemacht River, Keyser River and Blinkwater stream.
Reportedly, the city teams worked tirelessly and responded to various incidents and are monitoring these closely. The residents of Cape Town reminded the sewer and stormwater teams of the city, which are continuously unblocking the drains where it is necessary.
Various city departments, while leading to winter, have been proactively cleaning the stormwater and sewage infrastructure to help and keep the systems clear to reduce the impact of excessive stormwater entering the systems.
As per the sources, the large volumes of rain are currently overwhelming the stormwater system. When stormwater cannot drain freely, during the continuous heavy rain, the roads into the watercourses. As there is a break in rain and the flooding will clear slowly.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation Councillor Zahid Badroodien said that they urged the public to take notes of the precautionary measures for their safety and wellbeing.
Also, MCM for Urban Mobility Councillor – Roberto Quintas said that during the heavy rainfall, canals as well as retention ponds and other storm-water related infrastructure will fill with water and distribute the flow to rivers and the sea as they are intended to do.
He added that the prolonged downpours however can overwhelm the systems and draining, which can take longer and can cause localised flooding and the bursting of canals and rivers. The residents were reminded that the situation was made far worse than it needed to be due to the continuous dumping of rubble, plastics and other foreign objects into these systems which are designed for the movement of stormwater.
Notably, Capetonians can help by avoiding or lessening the misery and danger which was experienced by flooding and reported the blocked stormwater infrastructure and by reporting illegal dumping.
The Urban Mobility team encouraged the commuters to use alternative routes where it was possible in order to avoid possibly dangerous situations along the water bodies and canals.
A special reminder for the public during heavy rainfall and flooding has been launched. The first and foremost advice is to stay away from catchment areas such as rivers and canals and its surrounding roads, it is being advised to use alternative routes.
The city team suggested to not try to cross canals, rivers and channels or fast-flowing water. Don’t walk or drive in the flood waters. Don’t remove sewer manhole covers to drain the rainwater flooding roads.
As removing the covers will cause sewers to overflow and it is also a health and safety risk to have uncovered manholes in the road. Also, there is no need to remove stormwater and catchpit covers. However, removing these will cause a safety risk.
Don’t dump waste in rivers, canals and sewers and stormwater drains. While disposing of refuse using the city’s solid waste services, please be patient as this service is also experiencing delays due to weather impacts. Also, keep gutters and drains free and clear of debris.