Local Government, Environ-mental Affairs and Development Planning:

Planning plays a pivotal role in ensuring a rapid, effective, and coordinated response to any major emergency/incident that occurs. The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre [WCDMC] co-ordinates the planning efforts between provincial departments and municipalities in the Western Cape province. 

The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre does have a Preparedness, Response and Recovery Plan which speaks to generic responses to incidents and emergencies which includes a flood response.  The National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry bears primary responsibility in the case of riverine floods and dam management.

Preparedness and response to urban flooding is the responsibility of local municipalities therefore the City of Cape Town and Municipalities have the necessary flood contingency plans in place either forming part of their winter readiness planning and / or incorporated into their disaster management plan.

The Department also assists municipalities with the update and development of roads and stormwater master plans which assist municipalities to pro-actively plan for upgrading or installation of stormwater infrastructure based on changes in land-use and associated increase in surface water run-off.

 In some cases, this also necessitates the construction of retention or attenuation ponds. Through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Programme, the department also ensure incorporation of adequate stormwater drainage infrastructure [for 1:10 and 1:50 return year design floods] and stormwater management [post development stormwater run-off and stormwater retention] provision in the design of road and associated stormwater drainage networks.

The Department furthermore allocates financial assistance to municipalities experiencing high risk of stormwater damage.