City step up efforts to assist victims in flood-stricken areas

Over the past weekend the City’s disaster response team assisted 962 households that experienced discomfort as a result of the heavy over this weekend.

The City’s disaster response teams assisted the affected 2,566 persons in the flood-stricken areas with social relief of distress (hot meals, food parcels, clothing, blankets, plastic sheeting; amongst other).

Since Friday, 06 July 2012 till 20:00 on Sunday, 08 July 2012 the City attended to 348 incidents of roads, property and informal areas of which 321 incidents were dealt with. The remaining of 27 incidents will be dealt with on Monday, 09 July 2012.

The City also attended to 839 instances of drains that were blocked and sewer systems that were overflowing since Friday, 06 July 2012.

The strong winds also affected various trees across Cape Town and the City Parks Department has to deal with 38 incidents where trees were required to be removed, trimmed and/or pruned.

The City’s Electricity Services dealt with 1,545 incidents. Some of these incidents can be attributed to the adverse weather conditions that range from power outages, street lights that were out; amongst other.

The Disaster Risk Management Centre and relevant departments are on high alert, working with the supporting disaster response agencies and public safety authorities as continuous lights showers are forecast for the forthcoming week across Cape Town.

In the event of a life- or property-threatening emergency, the public are advised to dial 107 from a land-line or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone.

Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions and power failures can be reported to the City’s 24-hour technical operations centre at 0860 10 30 89.

Motorists who are experiencing delays and deviations on roadways can contact the City’s Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 for more information.

End

Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Wilfred Schrevian Evan Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre