The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 9 weather warning for the Western and Northern Cape. Gale-force winds and heavy rains started over the weekend and caused havoc in most parts of the Cape provinces, and the extreme weather conditions are set to continue throughout the week.
The weather service said the impact of the almost four days of extreme conditions has led to the loss of agricultural production, damage to infrastructure, and flooding of roads, bridges and settlements in low-lying areas.
Wine farms affected
Communication and brand manager at South Africa Wine Wanda Augustyn said the oldest wine farm in Stellenbosch, Blaauwklippen, suffered severe fire damage. At the time of publishing the story, Augustyn said they had not been informed of any other damages.
Blaauwklippen Vineyard issued a short statement on their Facebook page to alert customers and community members of the devastating fire that burned down three buildings.
“Six firefighting teams, including Blaauwklippen’s disaster management team together with neighbouring farms, were on the scene within minutes to attend to the fire, one of five in the area. Battling winds of up to 139km per hour, thankfully there were no injuries although the destruction was devasting.
“It is a sad day indeed for Blaauwklippen as heritage landmarks have been destroyed in the terrible blaze, but the sadness is made easier to bear by the gratitude that no lives were lost and we acknowledge the swift evacuation and heroic efforts of our personnel – Stefan, Chrisma and their teams – who ensured that no one was injured,” the statement said.
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Safety first
Meanwhile, the premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, urged communities to be safe and announced that schools in some parts of the province will be closed as a safety measure.
“Our message to residents and visitors to the province is that we know that there is severe weather already impacting us. We have mobilised all of our resources to be on standby to respond where needed and we appeal to you to not take unnecessary risks and listen to the instructions of law enforcement and traffic authorities.
“Please cooperate and work with us. We also know that inclement weather always impacts the vulnerable in our communities and we are mobilising resources to support them too,” he said.
Winde said the affected schools will communicate with the parents of their learners with regards to closures. “This was not an easy decision, as we always want our children in schools learning, but given the severity of the weather system and advice from authorities, schools in these regions will be closed on Monday, 8 April,” he said.
Prepare for more rain
The South African Weather Service said thundershowers were expected to develop over much of the country during Saturday and will continue until at least Tuesday, whereafter calm and clear weather conditions will return to many areas.
“There is also an indication of heavy rainfall over parts of the Overberg and south-west coast of the Western Cape on Monday into Tuesday as the cut-off low exits along the southern coast of the Western Cape.
“The Cape south-west coast may also experience a strong to gale force south-easterly wind, which could affect coastal marine routines and operations,” the statement said.
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