Cape Town - Capetonians have been advised to prepare for damaging winds as the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has been put on standby.
Charlotte Powell, the City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre’s spokesperson, said they have been advised by the South African Weather Service (Saws) that Cape Town was set to experience damaging winds over the next few days.
“The forecast predicts strong to gale-force south-easterly to easterly winds (70-80km/h) gusting between 90 and 100km/h.
“The City’s services are on standby to deal with any impacts related to the predicted weather warning,” Powell said. “Any weather-related emergencies can be directed to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.”
Meanwhile, Saws issued a series of severe weather alerts about damaging winds causing difficulty in navigation at sea due to rough and choppy conditions, and the possibility of the development and spread of runaway fires all along the Western Cape coastline over the next few days.
Saws alerted the public to a Yellow Level 2 warning, which means heavy rains are expected, and flooding is possible, and the public should monitor weather conditions.
Saws has also forecast that coastal wind resulting in localised disruption of small harbours and/or a port for a short period of time is expected between Cape Columbine and Gansbaai on Wednesday.
In the Saldanha Bay/Langebaan areas, Saws has issued its most severe alert for South Africa, a Level 10 weather warning, and has warned of veld fire conditions on Thursday morning from 7am to 10am.
Saws forecast that conditions are such that the Fire Danger Index (FDI) is above 75.
Saws said that under these conditions, fires could develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
The intense weather system will result in a strong to gale force south-east to easterly force wind between 60 and 70km/h or gusting 80 to 100km/h between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay.
The weather conditions are expected to spread to the Garden Route by Friday, and the weather service has warned that small boats must stay away from open seas.