Flood victims in Western Cape, South Africa, are in dire need of blankets, food and cloths as many have fled their homes due to flooding.

Development Diaries reports that an intense rainfall on 24 September caused havoc on houses, roads and infrastructure.

It is understood that the South African Weather Service had issued a level nine warning, indicating that the impact of the bad weather would be severe.

The World Bank, in its report titled Climate Risk Country Profile for South Africa, revealed that South Africa is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change.

The Western Cape is the most disaster-prone province in South Africa, and because of its coastal location, it is especially sensitive to the effects of climate change and climate-related hazards, as noted by the Western Cape government.

The flooding has affected informal settlements in Mfuleni, Siyahlala, Dunoon, Khayelitsha, Philippi and Strand. Other informal settlements affected are Shukushukuma, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Rasta Camp, Riemvasmaak, 7de Laan in Sandvlei, Macassar, Old Faure Road in Driftsands, Mfuleni and Bellville South.

A report by GroundUp revealed that a man had died in the flooding, and about 2,000 families were forced to flee their shacks in Mfuleni after a night of pouring rain.

A community leader,  Thembisa Thuba, said the flood victims needed blankets, food and clothes. ‘I have asked spaza shop owners to give the flood victims food because they are hungry’, she said.

It was also reported that residents were experiencing electric shocks due to electrical wires from illegal connections hidden in the water.

A resident of the affected community, Mxolisi Melento said, ‘When I tried to get off my bed and place my foot on the floor, I got an electric shock today’.

Development Diaries calls on the South African government to enhance its disaster management and infrastructure sectors to improve flood response and preparedness in areas vulnerable to climate change.

Photo source: GroundUp/Vincent Lahi