Lisa Isaacs
BAD weather left 15 000 people in the Overstrand area without electricity for two hours and roads submerged around the city.
Strong winds and rain lashed many parts of the Western Cape from Wednesday evening into yesterday, effecting mainly informal settlements.
Provincial Eskom spokesperson Jolene Henn said that just before 10pm on Wednesday evening, a major 132 kV overhead power line that supplies a number of towns in the Overstrand area tripped and caused an electricity interruption.
“The towns and areas that were left without power included Hermanus, Gansbaai, Caledon, Vyeboom, Kleinmond, Vermont, Hawston, Theewater and a few other surrounding areas,” Henn said, adding the total number of direct Eskom customers affected was about 15 000.
She said the power was restored in two hours using a contingency power line from Somerset West.
“The cause of the interruption was due to adverse weather conditions causing a trip on the line. This interruption was not due to load shedding,” Henn said.
City Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said informal settlements felt the brunt of weather conditions on Wednesday night.
She said informal areas in Strand, Philippi, Khayelitsha and Freedom Farm in Bishop Lavis were flooded.
Roads were flooded in areas including Langa, Pinelands, Bishop Lavis, Gordon’s Bay, Kuils River, Wynberg, Constantia and Bellville.
“Trees were also blown down in some of these areas. A power line also came down in Somerset West,” she said.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Liesl Moodie said there had been no responses to weather-related incidents overnight.
According to Weather SA, no rain or snow is predicted for the weekend A high of 14ºC is expected for today, with Saturday slightly warmer at 17ºC.