Numerous roads in the Cape Wineland District Municipality were closed following heavy rainfall and excessive flooding in the area over the past 24 hours. The road closures had been confirmed by Jo-Anne Otto, official spokesperson for the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
Local roads within Stellenbosch Central have residual water retention following heavy rainfall, SMF News reports. Pictured above is the entrance to Stellenbosch University’s Monica Women’s Residence. PHOTO: Talia Kincaid
As of 13:15 25 September, the following roads that could impact the Cape Winelands District Municipality were closed, according to Otto:
- Kromme Rhee
- Moddergat
- Lemoenpoort
- De Hoek
- Orchard Road Franschhoek
- Robertsvlei and Distillery roads
Stellenbosch residents have been advised to keep indoors following severe weather warnings.
This was according to Lebogang Makgati, a senior forecaster at the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
SAWS issued a level nine weather warning on 24 September, said Makgati. The Cape Winelands region experienced heavy rainfall and gale force winds between 24 and 25 September.
The weather is expected to clear from Tuesday onwards, though the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is predicting another cold front over the Cape on Saturday, 30 September, bringing “cooler and rainy conditions” to the Cape Winelands region, said Lebogang Makgati, a senior forecaster at SAWS. GRAPHIC: Talia Kincaid
Level nine warning
This is the “highest level issued for the Western Cape up to date”, said Makgati. SAWS initially expected rainfall of between 80 mm to 120 mm of rainfall across Stellenbosch between 24 and 25 September, according to Makgati.
SAWS has recorded a total of 192.2 mm over the last 24 hours, according to Kanyisa Makubalo, a weather forecaster at SAWS.
These conditions are, however, not unusual for this time of the year, said Makgati.
“It is normal to have these cut off lows during this time of the year as they are prominent in spring and autumn,” she said.
A cut off low is a low pressure system that brings cold weather conditions to the south coast of South Africa, according to the SAWS website.
Community impact
SMF News reported on the collapse of the Eerste Rivier’s banks between 13 and 14 June this year.
The bank was not repaired after the damage caused in June and as such, the outer wall of a coffee shop on the bank of the river is being affected by the current rains, said Anna Krüger, the founding director of Aunty Sophie se Kombuis.
“The bank of the Eerste River that was taken away [at the time of the June floods], that was preventing the river from getting to the building, wasn’t replaced since the previous floods,” said Krüger.
The banks of the Eerste River (identified within the video) are experiencing an influx of water near Aunty Sophie se Kombuis, a coffee shop located on the banks of the river, according to Anna Krüger, the founding director of Aunty Sophie se Kombuis. VIDEO: Talia Kincaid