The Disaster Risk Management Centre in Cape Town relies on a team of committed volunteers to tackle extreme weather events and reduce disaster risks. These unsung heroes spend an astounding amount of time supporting the centre officials and participating in training sessions to improve their abilities in disaster management. From April to June, these heroic citizens committed over 18,000 hours of service, equivalent to over 769 days of unbroken work. Their selfless dedication serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for Cape Town’s future.
Cape Town faced a severe metroscale storm causing power outages, structural damage, and potential flooding. Mayor Geordin HillLewis and his team of city workers responded promptly, overseeing emergency responses, collaborating with NGOs, and evaluating damage. The residents were advised to report emergencies and refrain from nonessential travel. The city’s resilience, preparedness, and community collaboration were demonstrated in this exemplary disaster management.
Dr. Elias Sithole, head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre, proposed an aggressive plan to overhaul the country’s disaster management system in response to the increasing frequency of disasters due to climate change. The plan involves creating a new framework for disaster management, improving national risk information platforms, and strengthening collaborations with critical stakeholders. These changes promise a more resilient South Africa, and Dr. Sithole’s leadership is crucial in achieving this paradigm shift.
In the past few days, Western Cape has been dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding caused by a series of cold fronts that hit numerous regions between June 14 and 19. The Cape Winelands and West Coast areas suffered the most significant damage. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) has been leading a coordinated effort to manage the disaster and provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
The Western Cape province has been experiencing heavy rainfall, causing dam levels to rise and rivers to swell and even overflow. As a result, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has released a public statement warning residents to avoid lowlevel water crossings and bridges within the province.
As Cape Town experiences a series of cold fronts and heavy rainfall, the city’s dedicated teams are working ceaselessly to manage the resulting localized flooding and other severe weather effects. Cape Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis is personally overseeing the efforts made by these teams, ensuring rapid action is taken to mitigate the impacts affecting different parts of the city.
The Western Cape Government is bracing itself for a challenging winter season, made worse by cold weather and extended load shedding. During a Disaster Management Centre briefing, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, emphasized the importance of readiness in the face of these challenges.