City of Cape Town uses heavy rainfall to prepare for winter flooding risks
The City of Cape Town has welcomed the recent heavy rainfall as an opportunity to identify and assess problematic areas ahead of the upcoming seasonal rains. While the downpour led to temporary flooding in several low-lying parts of the city, officials say it provided valuable insights that will help strengthen disaster preparedness efforts moving forward.
According to municipal spokespersons, disaster response teams were promptly deployed to affected areas once the rain subsided. Their duties included clearing debris from stormwater drains, sweeping flooded roads, and inspecting infrastructure vulnerable to water damage.
Testing the City’s Response Systems
The City’s Urban Mobility Mayoral Committee Member (MMC), Rob Quintas, emphasized that while flooding is never ideal, it can offer a critical test of the city’s drainage infrastructure and emergency response protocols.
“The system may take time to drain, similar to pulling a plug from a full bath,” Quintas explained. “But flooding usually subsides within an hour of the end of the rains. These events help us monitor where interventions are needed most.”
Heavy rainfall
Quintas urged the public to remain alert during severe weather events and to report any flooding incidents directly to the City. Residents can do so by calling the City’s emergency line at 0800 65 64 63 or by emailing [email protected].
Low-Lying Areas Most Affected
During the rainfall, a number of low-lying roads and informal settlements were temporarily flooded. These areas are typically more vulnerable due to poor drainage systems, limited road gradient, and the buildup of litter that can clog stormwater drains.
Officials noted that prompt community reporting and cooperation played a significant role in how quickly teams were able to respond. By identifying specific areas where the system was overwhelmed or blocked, teams were able to act swiftly and reduce further damage or disruption.
“We rely on the public to help us by reporting blocked drains and areas where water is accumulating. The sooner we know about a problem, the faster we can deal with it,” said Quintas.
Drainage System Under Pressure
The City has long acknowledged the strain on Cape Town’s stormwater infrastructure, especially in older parts of the city or informal settlements that were not originally designed with modern drainage needs in mind.
Seasonal rains often bring localized flooding, especially when combined with the effects of urbanisation, illegal dumping, and infrastructure degradation. The most recent rains served as a reminder of how important maintenance and modernization efforts are as winter approaches.
The Urban Mobility Directorate continues to conduct regular stormwater infrastructure assessments and maintenance, but the sheer size and complexity of the system mean it’s crucial to anticipate and respond to pressure points quickly.
Preparing for the Winter Season
With winter around the corner, the City is now accelerating its efforts to prevent future flooding and ensure its drainage systems can handle sustained rainfall.
“This rain gave us a valuable window to assess how the system performs under pressure, and where urgent maintenance or upgrades are required,” said Quintas. “We are taking proactive steps based on what we observed.”
Residents are being reminded to play their part by not littering, ensuring gutters and drains on their properties are clear, and avoiding driving through flooded roads when storms hit.
By combining municipal readiness with public cooperation, the City hopes to reduce the impact of winter rains on both residential areas and traffic routes.
