Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC) identified flooding as a risk in the City of Cape Metropole, West Coast, Overberg, Cape Winelands and Eden District Municipalities.

The pro-active initiatives undertaken by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre to reduce the flood risk are as follow:

• Assistance was given to the district municipalities with the update of risk assessments to ensure flood risk areas are identified;
• A provincial flood hazard index was developed and flood data was uploaded on the Disaster Management Support Tool which provides spatial mapping of high risk areas. This tool is available to municipalities and can be utilised for flood planning;
• The annual fire and flood awareness campaign aimed at increasing the level of preparedness and resilience of communities through the advocacy of behavior changing, using children as the medium, was rolled out in January 2016 whereby 34 schools were reached;
• Early warning arrangements are in place with key role-players such as South African Weather Services (SAWS), the Department of Water and Sanitation, etc. and early warnings are  disseminated promptly;
• Quarterly advisory forum meetings are held with all stakeholders from all organs of state whereby weather forecasts by SAWS is provided and pertinent discussions take place such as winter readiness;
• Ongoing liaison and communication with strategic municipal and provincial partners take place; and
• The Western Cape Flood plans as well as the Western Cape Generic Preparedness and Response plans are in place should the WCDMC require activation of the Centre.

The District Disaster Management Centres and the City of Cape Town have flood plans as well as preparedness and response arrangements in place. Risk Reduction initiatives such as river and bridge cleaning, awareness campaigns, liaison with strategic role-players, etc. took place within the various municipal areas. All the District Disaster Management Centres and the

City of Cape Town have made arrangements with the Department of Social Development and Non-Governmental Organisations to ensure that sufficient emergency relief is on hand for this purpose. 

The City of Cape Town does have a Winter Readiness Task Team which meets every second week to address the top high risks of informal settlements. The District Disaster Management Centres have similar planning initiatives in place.

Provision has been made to evacuate the affected people to temporary shelters in already identified community halls where the necessary humanitarian relief will be provided. 

Provincial as well as Municipal Disaster Management Centres are operational and will be activated should the need arise.