Cape Town - The harsh lightening and thunderstorms that began in the Mother City on Sunday night were expected to continue intermittently with widespread showers and strong winds over the Western Cape until Tuesday, as warned by the South African Weather Service (Saws).
Saws also issued an advisory for extreme discomfort due to high temperatures.
Saws said good amounts of rainfall were measured over the southern parts of Namakwa (Northern Cape) and over the western and central parts of the Western Cape over the past weekend.
Models indicated 24-hour accumulated rainfall of 30mm-40mm on Monday, but with 50mm-60mm in some places.
“Heavy downpours (20-30mm/h), strong and gusty winds (40-50km/h, gusting to 60-70km/h), excessive lightning and large amounts of small hail (1-2cm in diameter) are possible.
“Redevelopment are expected over the extreme eastern parts on Tuesday, with possible large hail (2-3cm) and heavy downpours leading to flash flooding due to the high soil moisture content,” Saws said.
Potential effects included flash flooding of roads and susceptible settlements, danger to life in crossing fast-flowing streams, damage to vehicles and difficult driving conditions, possible major travel disruptions, loss of agricultural production, and disruption to essential services.
The City said its Disaster Risk Management Centre was closely monitoring for any potential effects of the severe level 3 thunderstorm warning issued.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said, “Thus far, there have not been any significant incidents reported to the centre, but we are conducting a few assessments and will report back where relevant.”
Powell said Cape Town did not often experience such long bouts of thunder activity, and the City endorsed the safety tips issued by the weather service, which were to stay indoors away from metal objects, not seek shelter under trees or tall objects, avoid activities like fishing and golf during a thunder storm that can create additional safety risks, and be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds or heavy downpours can accompany the storms.
Meanwhile, civil society movement We Are South Africans shared a video on Facebook of massive flooding in Strand, Western Cape.
Founder Gilbert Martin said: “It’s raining, it’s pouring and children are seen swimming in flooded streets of Strand communities. Reports have been received of flooding in numerous Helderberg residential areas including Somerset West and Macassar, as well as Beach Road in Gordon’s Bay.”
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre also urged people to be safe during expected heavy rains, as it remained on standby and in a state of readiness for load shedding, severe weather, and all other disaster-related incidents.
Local Government MEC Anton Bredell said the current combination of severe weather and high levels of load shedding increased risk, so people were urged to remain vigilant and consider their safety in their immediate surroundings.
“Our Disaster Management Centre has a spotter plane in the air looking for people in distress, particularly on the West Coast, and we have the support of SARZA, a volunteer organisation with specialised off-road vehicles that can access difficult locations, if we should need them, “ Bredell said.