Winter's going ... but not quite gone

29 September 2024

As Cape Town slowly packs away the heavy blankets, heaters and jerseys, the Disaster Risk Management Centre continues to facilitate multi-departmental winter task team meetings to unpack some of the events of the season, and how to plan ahead for next winter. The season saw massive impacts compared to the previous year, with the number of persons affected increasing eight-fold. Read more below:

Cape Town went into winter with a forecast of below average rainfall and above average temperatures, but the South African Weather Service could not exclude the possibility of potentially severe weather episodes.

The period of 7 to 16 July proved to be record-breaking, with levels of rainfall well in excess of the city's long-term average.

The winter was also characterised by a number of episodes of damaging winds, adding to the devastation.

Between July and September 2023, the Disaster Risk Management centre recorded 9 998 structures and 20 406 persons affected by the impacts of severe weather episodes.

Impact assessments this past winter recorded 788 affected areas, just over 52 000 structures and approximately 167 000 persons.

'We were concerned about potential extreme weather episodes, and rightfully so, as the impact assessments show. And, the more extreme the weather event, the more difficult to mitigate against it, and the longer the recovery period. There have been multiple debrief sessions since July, and work is already under way to further improve the City's response to these extreme events in the future,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The recently acquired information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) craft was utilised to assist with flood monitoring and response this winter (pictured), with plans to further expand its use in future.

During winter, the City's humanitarian relief partners provided approximately 150 000 hot meals, 22 000 blankets, more than 4 000 beanies and nearly 10 000 hygiene packs.

The Disaster Relief Partners that assisted were: Al Imdaad, Ashraful Aid Foundation, Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, Respond Organisation, Mother City Kitchen, Mustadafin Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross Society.

'The reality is that the change of season doesn't bring much respite for our emergency and disaster response agencies, including our humanitarian relief partners. Summer and its devastating south-easterly winds bring a heightened fire risk that is as devastating as winter floods. So I want to thank everyone for their contributions towards humanitarian relief efforts this winter; but please, if you can, continue supporting the NPOs who work year-round to assist those in need,' added Alderman Smith.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office