Bad weather conditions in the Western Cape claimed the life of a security guard on Sunday when a tree collapsed on top of him in Paarl.
According to Colin Deiner, the province’s chief director of disaster management, fire and risk services, the guard was on a four-wheeler patrol when the tree fell on him.
Deiner confirmed the news on Monday while giving the full details of the matter.
Schools damaged
The bad weather that started on Saturday has uprooted trees, damaged roads, and destroyed schools.
The premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, consequently ordered the province’s schools to be closed until the weather got better.
Winde stated that he met with the disaster management team and that the province was still experiencing level-nine storms, which could result in floods.
“We have flooding happening in some of the parts of Overberg now; nothing major at the moment,” said Winde.
He went on to say that people needed to make sure that they were safe while the rain kept coming down.
Some roads are still closed
“Don’t take any chances in any of the low-lying areas. We still have a few closed roads as the storm across the whole province is still at level-nine warning, which means that specifically in the wineland areas, there is a risk of flooding.
“We have mobilised all 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.”
Meanwhile, Eskom confirmed that the power utility’s services have been disrupted in several areas due to minor structural damage.
“The damage led to a loss of electricity supply in a number of areas, including Beaufort West, Kraaifontein, Khayelitsha, Klawer and surrounding farms like Kylemore, Gordon’s Bay, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West, Stellenbosch farms, and Vredendal.”
