Argieffoto (Photo: Kireyonok_Yuliya / Magnific)
A series of intense cold fronts are bringing heavy rain, strong winds, cold conditions, snow and dangerous sea conditions to parts of the Western Cape, with numerous roads already closed in the Central Karoo and Garden Route.
The South African Weather Service warns that disruptive rain could lead to flooding of roads, bridges and settlements. Mudslides and dangerously fast-flowing rivers are also possible in mountainous parts of Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Breedevallei and Witzenberg, among others. The warning is valid until Tuesday.
According to the Weather Service, an orange level 8 warning for disruptive rain has been issued for mountainous parts of the Western Cape. An orange level 6 warning also applies for disruptive rain over the southern West Coast and western parts of the Overberg.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality says the Weather Service’s forecasts of heavy and disruptive rain for parts of the district remain on track. Moderate rain is expected initially, with rainfall expected to increase on Monday and Tuesday as the second cold front moves across the district.
The areas affected in the Cape Wine Country include Breedevallei, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and Witzenberg, with mountainous areas at greatest risk according to the municipality. The municipality says warnings for severe rainfall of between 200 mm and 300 mm, as well as strong wind of up to 100 km/h, have been issued.
The Weather Service also warns of damaging inland winds that could cause damage to formal and informal settlements, power outages and the closure of some routes due to falling trees. These conditions are expected in the central parts of the Western Cape and may continue until Tuesday.
Damaging wind and waves are also expected on the coast between Lambert Bay and Cannon Rocks. This can cause danger to shipping and damage to coastal infrastructure. A yellow level 4 warning for wind and waves also applies between Alexander Bay and Lambert Bay.
According to the Weather Service, snow can also disrupt traffic. A yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snow applies to the Karoo Highlands municipality in the Northern Cape, places in the Cape Wineland district and the northern part of the Eastern Cape. This can lead to the loss of vulnerable livestock, icy roads and the possible closure of mountain passes.
The Weather Service says the public, especially the elderly, as well as small livestock farmers should take precautions, as very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected over the southern parts of the Namakwa district and the western interior of the Western Cape. Light snowfall is also expected over the Western Cape mountains and southern parts of the Northern Cape.
The Western Cape government has meanwhile confirmed several road closures in the Central Karoo, Garden Route and Overberg. In the Central Karoo, Meiringspoort, Molteno Pass, Swartberg Pass, De Hel, Middelwater Road and several roads in the Beaufort West and Prince Albert areas are closed. Some routes, including the road between Murraysburg and Graaff-Reinet, Waaikraalweg and Willowmoreweg, have meanwhile been reopened.
In the Garden Route, several routes in the Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Uniondale, George, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas are closed. This includes, among others, Meiringspoort, Prince Alfred Pass, the R62 between Avontuur and the Eastern Cape border, Swartberg Pass, Seweweekspoort, Phantom Pass, Kruisvallei, various George area routes and sections of roads near Keurboomstrand. Some roads are partially open or available for local access only, while other statuses have already changed to open.
In the Overberg, Leeurivierweg in the Swellendam area is closed, while Middelpad and Buffeljagsrivier’s status has changed to open.
The Western Cape government has warned motorists to heed road closure notices and not drive over flooded roads. The Cape Winelands District Municipality has also urged residents to keep mobile phones charged, follow local weather updates and follow instructions from emergency services and community safety officers.
Residents are advised to ensure that their families know what to do in an emergency, not to cross fast-flowing rivers and to turn off the electricity at the main switch if water enters a house or building.
Emergency numbers for the Cape Wineland District:
- Cape Winelands: 021 887 4446
- Breedevellei: 023 342 2430 / 0860 121 212
- Drakenstein: 080 131 3553
- Langeberg: 023 615 8911
- Stellenbosch: 021 808 8888
- Witzenberg: 023 492 0181 / 2
- WhatsApp: 081 896 5480
Sunday’s outlook
Monday’s outlook