The Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, concluded a disaster assessment tour this week by visiting some of the areas that were worst affected by the storms. (Photo: Alan Winde/ Facebook)
The storm damage caused in the Western Cape earlier this month is likely to exceed that of previous major floods in 2023 and 2024.
So says the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, after a total of 400 roads were damaged right across the province.
During the first week of May, several cold fronts caused major damage to many roads in the province. Some main routes are still closed. Several passes had mudslides, and roads and bridges were washed away or flooded.
According to the department, the following main roads need significant repairs: Franschhoek Pass, Bainskloof Pass, Meiringspoort, Mitchells Pass, the R27 near Vredendal and the R328 (Cango Caves road).
The department says the costs of the repairs are not yet known, because certain roads are still inaccessible.
“However, what is already clear is that the extent of the damage will probably exceed that experienced during the floods of 2023 and 2024. Preliminary indications indicate damage of billions of rands,” says the department.
Anton Bredell, the Western Cape MEC for local government, environmental affairs and development planning, says the recent storms have highlighted the growing impact of climate change and the need for more resilient infrastructure planning.
“While severe winter weather has always formed part of our region’s climate, the increasing intensity and frequency of these events is increasingly consistent with the global scientific consensus on climate change and the increased risks associated with a warmer planet.”
Bredell says the devastation right across the Western Cape has highlighted the need for resilient climate planning and construction very clearly.
He emphasizes that municipalities need sufficient capacity and management systems to respond effectively to climate-related disasters.
“It is also very clear that only well-managed and well-equipped municipalities can seize the opportunity to deal with these challenges,” says Bredell.
The Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, also concluded a disaster assessment tour this week by visiting some of the areas that were worst affected by the storms.
Winde says the extent of the widespread damage is enormous and despite that, officials are working hard to repair damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible.
“The Vredendal Bridge is open to single traffic again well before the scheduled time. Repairs to the McGregor Bridge are well underway. Mitchell Pass is open to traffic again. Crews are working tirelessly across the province to assess damage and rebuild where possible,” says Winde.
He emphasizes that repairs to electricity remain a key focus.
“Eskom and I meet daily during which I receive updates. Eskom has indicated that 86% of the affected communities have been reconnected as of Friday. Repair work continues to repair all outstanding outages.”
Winde says he fully understands the frustrations of residents who have had to endure long periods of power outages.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and will always strive to keep affected communities informed of developments as we receive updates from Eskom and other stakeholders. We know that this is a frustrating and intolerable situation.”
Eskom indicated in a schedule on Friday that the power supply in the various areas in the Western Cape will be restored by the following dates:
Boland/Cape Wine Country
- Hexrivier-Villiersdorp: 29 May
- The farms Chavonnes and Badsberg: 5 June
- Repair work on the high-voltage lines between Boskloof and Romansrivier is progressing well, while a four-hour power rotation has been introduced: 26 June
Garden Route
- Gouna (Knysna): 31 May
- Herbertsdale-Jakkalsvlei: 10 June
- Askop, Brackenhill, Pheasanthoek, Buffelsnek, Harkerville and Little Bavaria: June 25
- Garden of Eden: 25 July
Overberg-Overstrand
- Hemel en Aarde, Riviersonderend farms, Papiesvlei and Stanford farms: 29 May
- Buffalo Hunting River: June 5th
west coast
- Algeria, Citrusdal farms and Du Pont: 5 June
- Noordhoek Farms: 12 June