City of Cape Town Link

City calls on residents to help prepare for winter

Proactive preparation for a flood event is key to managing the impact of severe storms. Given that our rainy season is around the corner, the City is ready with its Winter Preparedness Programme. This year, the programme is focusing on the maintenance of the city’s stormwater system, such as the cleaning of gullies, catchpits, pipes and ponds.The Cape storms are synonymous with high winds that scatter leaves, litter and debris – this often ends up in our stormwater infrastructure and causes blockages of the stormwater system. Making matters worse, is the illegal dumping of objects into the system.Residents who live in low lying areas are particularly susceptible to the impact of storms, and may have their roads flooded if the stormwater infrastructure is not cleared to allow for the free-flow of runoff during and after a rainfall event.‘Winter is almost upon us. Cape Town has wet winters and we are doing all we can to prevent flooding of our streets and roads, however, we cannot do it on our own. Preparation for winter is a shared responsibility between the City of Cape Town and residents. Thus, we implore our residents to work with us by making sure that their gutters are cleaned, trees are pruned and that there are no obstructions in waterways around the home that could result in flooding or water damage,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.Also, potholes often occur during the rainy season as water has a direct impact on the road structure, in particular roads that are older or not in a good condition.‘As such, the City’s Transport Information Centre always receives more calls about potholes and blocked stormwater drains in various parts of the city during the winter months. We welcome these calls because in doing so, residents help us to be aware of urgent repairs,’ said Alderman Purchase.The City encourages residents to please continue reporting these via the following channels:<ul><li>Phone the Transport Information Centre on 080 065 6463. This is a 24/7 information centre;</li><li>Send an email to <a href="mailto:Transport.Info@capetown.gov.za">Transport.Info@capetown.gov.za</a>; or</li><li>Call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to report flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions.</li></ul>Residents are reminded to include their name, contact number and the exact location, area and street name, as well as to reference a landmark if possible. These details help us deliver services efficiently, and promptly.Insufficient or incorrect information can also lead to delays in responding to emergencies.‘We will also provide ongoing education and awareness programmes around flood and fire awareness, which includes practical tips on how to raise floor levels, divert flood waters and reduce the health hazards associated with stagnant water,’ said Alderman Purchase.In case of emergencies, residents can contact the Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.When calling during an emergency, residents are reminded to provide as much information as possible. If it is a medical incident, include patient information such as any underlying or chronic conditions or a specific medical history.End

2021-03-15T22:00:00Z

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