The South African Weather Service (Saws) says the sensitivity of the dam wall that fell increases the risk for the Cederberg and Swartland municipalities as it issued weather warnings for the Western Cape and Namaqualand.
“A cold front is expected to affect the Western Cape on Tuesday (today), resulting in rain and showers over the western parts of the province. The sensitivity of the dam wall that fell increases the risk for the Cederberg and Swartland municipalities. The rain-on-rain situation may lead to localised flooding of roads and susceptible settlements,” the warning read.
On potential impacts, the Saws said isolated cases of breakages of farm dam walls may occur.
Local government, environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell said the public must heed the warnings of strong winds across the province as well as high waves along the Western Cape coastline from today to Thursday.
The Saws issued a Level 6 warning for damaging winds over the Garden Route, eastern Overberg, eastern parts of the Cape Winelands and southern Central Karoo on Tuesday. High waves of between 4m and 8m between Lambert’s Bay and Plettenberg Bay are expected until Thursday.
Strong north-westerly to westerly winds of 60 to 80km/h, gusting from 80km/h to 100km/h, are expected along the same stretch of coast. The combination of high waves and strong winds is expected to cause very choppy and rough sea conditions.
“We call on people to be mindful of the expected severe weather,” warned Bredell. “The soil is saturated from the recent rains, so we can expect trees being uprooted, while damage to wind-exposed structures is possible. Avoid activities along the coast and at sea. Of particular concern is recreational sailors in small boats and rock anglers.”
He added that the incoming storm was another good example of why coastal provinces should work together regarding disaster risk management.
Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation said a preliminary report into the collapse of three dam walls on a farm in Riverlands, Swartland Municipality, has been handed over to Minister Pemmy Majodina.
“Although the Department of Water and Sanitation does not own the failed dams, it exercises a regulatory function over all the dams in South Africa,” said the department.
Three dams located on a property known as Dassenberg breached on August 8, causing widespread severe floods to parts of the area. More than 100 residents have since been displaced and 14 people suffered minor injuries.
Cape Times