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Cape storm: Eight people electrocuted, scores evacuated amid heavy rains during long weekend

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  • Eight people were electrocuted during stormy conditions in the Western Cape.
  • Numerous people, including residents of a retirement village, were evacuated.
  • More than a thousand homes have been damaged by flooding and strong winds.

Eight people were electrocuted when strong wind and heavy rain lashed the Western Cape over the long weekend.

City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said the eight people were electrocuted during ensuing flooding due to illegal electricity connections.

Four of them died in the Covid-19 informal settlement in Driftsands, and the other four died in the Klipfontein area.

She added that six children were evacuated from three houses in Strand and taken to the Strand Fire Station for safety.

Residents were evacuated from a retirement village in Somerset West and 170 people were moved to a hall in Sir Lowry's Pass Village. 

Emergency teams also assisted with evacuations from Faure and Sandvlei in Macassar. Residents indicated that they will seek shelter with friends and family," she added. 

"A group of people was reported trapped at the Kogel Bay resort as a result of roads being closed on both sides, leading to Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els. The Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre assisted the City in rescue efforts."

DEVELOPING | Winde to hold briefing on rain, flood-damaged Western Cape

Flooding affected numerous informal settlements across the city. Initial assessments indicated that more than a thousand homes were impacted.

"Sand and milling has already started being distributed to assist affected communities, while a number of humanitarian relief agencies are assisting with meals, blankets and other supplies, like baby packs," Powell said.

Homes were also flooded in Durbanville, Bo-Kaap, Schaapkraal, Bellville South, Belhar, Sandvlei in Macassar, Strand, Gordon's Bay, Knorhoek, Scottsdene and Hout Bay.

A house in Sir Lowry's Pass Village showed signs of collapsing, she added.

Trees were uprooted in Hout Bay, Macassar, Rondebosch East, Durbanville, Kuils River, Woodstock, Klipheuwel IFS, Malmesbury farms, Goodwood, Bellville, Protea Village, Uitsig, Brackenfell and Belmont Park.

If you have news, images or video from the weekend's storms in the Western and Eastern Cape, we'd love to hear from you. Send your information, pictures or videos to feedback@news24.com.



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