Three people have lost their lives in separate incidents in and around the Cape Town Metropole in South Africa (SA) due to severe wind and rainfall that have lashed large parts of the Western Cape province.
The Western Cape government has confirmed that the three deaths were caused by trees falling on vehicles and people who drowned attempting to cross rivers.
Western Cape Acting Premier, Ivan Meyer, says the provincial cabinet and the Premier’s Co-ordinating Forum met last night and have decided to classify the severe weather as a disaster.
Meyer says the provincial disaster management centre, as well as all joint operating centres, will work around the clock to assist those affected by the storms.
He says gale-force winds and disruptive rainfall have caused widespread damage.
Meyer says fallen trees, electricity outages and localised flooding have been reported in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, West Coast and the City of Cape Town Metropole.
Warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough sea conditions remain in place.
–SABC–
