2023 Western Cape floods
Langa, Cape Town on 25 September 2023. | |
| Date | 24-25 September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Deaths | 11 (at least) |
The 2023 Western Cape floods were a devastating series of floods affecting the Western Cape province of South Africa as a result of heavy rainfall on 24-25 September 2023.[1] The flooding resulted in at least 11 fatalities, the closure of over 200 roads, and over 80,000 people being left without electricity.[2][3]
Background
On 23 September 2023, the South African Weather Service issued a level 6 warning for parts of the Garden Route District Municipality. The alert warned of damaging wind and waves as well as severe thunderstorms in the area from 24 to 25 September.[4]
Over the two-day period from 24 to 25 September, the town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, and the city Cape Town received 193mm and 143mm of rain respectively.[5]
Impact
By Tuesday 26 September, at least 11 people had been killed in the floods. Eight of those people, including 4 children were
Agriculture
In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Western Cape Government estimated that damages to the agricultural sector in the province stood at R1.4 billion.[8]
Events
The Rocking the Daisies music festival, initially scheduled for 6-8 October, was postponed to 17-19 November after the floods affected venue preparation.[9]
The 32nd Hermanus Whale Festival was cancelled for health and safety reasons after water infrastructure in the area was damaged. Hermanus residents were supplied with water by tankers.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Luhanga, Peter; Lali, Vincent (25 September 2023). "Hundreds flee flooded homes as storms batter Western Cape". GroundUp News. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Muia, Wycliffe; Maseko, Nomsa (27 September 2023). "South Africa floods: At least 11 people die after Western Cape deluge". BBC News. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Nene, Ntuthuzelo (27 September 2023). "More WC roads reopened after flooding; 80,000 residents still without power". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Solomons, Lisalee. "'Please be careful,' says MEC as SAWS issues level 6 weather warning for damaging waves, winds". News24. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ van Diemen, Ethan (26 September 2023). "Why more than two months worth of rain fell in Western Cape weekend storm". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Imray, Gerald (26 September 2023). "8 people electrocuted as floods cause deaths and damage across South Africa's Western Cape". AP News. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Evans, Jenni (29 September 2023). "Western Cape flood death toll rises to 11 as search for missing Kleinmond resident continues". News24. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Nene, Ntuthuzelo (28 September 2023). "Western Cape agricultural sector loses estimated R1.4bn due to flood damage". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Rocking the Daisies 2023 put on ice due to destructive floods". ewn.co.za. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ McCain, Nicole (29 September 2023). "No water in Hermanus after flooding damages infrastructure, Whale Festival cancelled". News24. Retrieved 29 September 2023.