On Thursday, Cape Town residents woke up to intense floods caused by torrential weather that is expected to persist into the weekend, according to local meteorology authorities.
Cape Town floods on Thursday, 15 June 2023
Communities in the eastern interior of Cape Town with faulty drainage systems were dealt a blow on Thursday morning when key routes connecting to highways and other economic hubs were inaccessible due to flooding.
On social media, residents from affected areas like Khayelitsha and Stellenbosch shared gob-smacking images and videos of the Cape Town floods, which you can check out below:
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Level 6 Orange warning for Cape Town: Here’s what it means
According to the South African Weather Services (SAWS), substantial rainfall, possibly exceeding 50mm, is expected to persist on Thursday.
In response to this forecast, SAWS issued a Level 6 Orange warning for disruptive rainfall, particularly affecting Cape Town’s CBD, the Metropole, and the Winelands area.
Accompanying the heavy rainfall, strong and gusty winds are anticipated throughout the interior of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape on Thursday.
Crosswinds could pose a significant risk to high-sided vehicles travelling on major roads and highways. As a precautionary measure, drivers of such vehicles are advised to reduce their speed and exercise caution while on the road.
What’s the cause of the Cape Town floods?
Dr Kevin Winter, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT), shed light on the recent flash floods and the prevailing rainfall patterns in Cape Town, in a recent interview with Cape Talk.
According to Dr Winter, the current rainfall is not historically unusual; rather, it is occurring earlier than expected.
Although rainfall traditionally takes place in late June and early July, it is not uncommon to experience early rainfall in May, extending into June and July.
The current pattern is reminiscent of the rainfall levels observed in the 1990s, where late May and June also experienced substantial rainfall.
Regarding the city’s flood-prone areas, Dr Winter explains that the urban development that has occurred since the 1990s has led to rising groundwater levels.
This phenomenon is expected after ten consecutive days of rainfall. However, Dr Winter assures residents that the current rainfall levels remain within a reasonable range.