Cape Town – A flood alert has been issued for areas in the Cape Metropolitan area as dams, canals and reservoirs are filled to capacity across the Western Cape as a result of persistent heavy rains.

The department of water affairs on Thursday advised all disaster management authorities across the Western Cape that the increasing rainfall is resulting in dams overflowing, affecting mostly low-lying areas, the City of Cape Town’s Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said.

The greater part of the Cape Flats, that is located in low-lying and flood-plain areas, is already saturated due to persistent rainfall during the past month, he pointed out.

There is also a possibility that areas and farming communities that are located next to watercourses, rivers, or in close proximity to dams may be affected, Solomons-Johannes said.

He said a special flood advisory has been issued to subsistence and emerging farmers along these areas, urging them to take the necessary action to protect crops and livestock.

Solomons-Johannes added that the city had deployed its disaster response teams and engineering crews to assess the levels of the water across Cape Town to ensure that the necessary action can be taken to safeguard life and property.

The City is geared to initiate the necessary pro-active measures to discharge water from the catchment areas to counter flood damage.

Useful contact numbers:

· Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions: Call 0860 103 089 or SMS to 31373.

· Electricity outages/disruptions: Call 0860 103 089 or SMS to 31220.

· Road Closures: Call the City’s Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 regarding delays on roadways and deviations.

· Weather Reports: listen to alerts on the radio and television; visit http://www.weathersa.co.za ; or call the Cape Town Weather Office on Tel: 021 934 0749/0831 or the weatherline on 083 123 0500.

· Emergencies: Call 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

– News24