/ 19 May 2007

Warning of severe weather in Western Cape

Residents of the western parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces have been warned to brace for severe weather on Saturday, Cape Town’s disaster management said.

Very cold, wet and windy conditions were expected on Saturday, would spread to the entire Western and Northern Cape on Sunday and persist until Monday, said spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes on Friday.

Heavy rainfall was expected over the south-western Cape on Saturday, spreading to the southern Cape and adjacent interior overnight.

Gale force north-westerly winds (65km/h) were expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas on Saturday, spreading to Plettenberg Bay by the evening.

Very rough seas with waves in excess of 5m were expected between the Orange River mouth and Cape Agulhas, spreading to Plettenberg Bay on Sunday.

Snowfalls were expected on high-lying areas of the Western and Northern Cape on Sunday and Monday.

Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre was on full alert and all city departments required to respond in case of flooding, storm damage to infrastructure or disruption of services would be on standby.

The public was requested to report life or property-threatening flooding and other emergencies to the public emergency communication centre at telephone number 107 (from any landline) or 021 480 7700 (from cellphones). — Sapa