Cape Town is reeling from the impact of relentless overnight rains that have submerged roads, destroyed homes, and displaced thousands of residents across informal settlements.
Hardest hit were communities in the Cape Flats, including Mfuleni, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha, where widespread flooding followed the bursting of the Vygieskraal canal. In Vygieskraal informal settlement alone, around 500 structures were inundated, affecting roughly 2,000 people. Additional damage occurred in Haji Ebrahim Crescent and nearby RDP housing, displacing more than 1,700 people combined.
Emergency services have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate relief efforts. The City of Cape Town is providing basic aid, including sandbags, plastic sheeting, blankets, and meals. However, humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has also launched a major response, delivering clothing, food, and other essentials to more than a dozen flood-stricken areas.
“We’ve received hundreds of distress calls since dawn,” said Ali Sablay, the organisation’s project coordinator. “Many families have lost everything, including food supplies and bedding.”
Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has urged residents to report emergencies and avoid flood-prone areas. While traffic disruptions have been minimal, the Borchard’s Quarry link from the N2 was closed due to water accumulation. Authorities are encouraging drivers to slow down, keep headlights on, and maintain safe following distances.
Power outages were reported in Langa, Athlone, Crawford, and Rondebosch. Efforts are under way to restore electricity.
The SPCA has also launched a rescue mission, saving animals found chained and shivering in the rain. With more rescues expected, the organisation is appealing for urgent donations of towels, blankets, and pet food to care for affected animals.
Meanwhile, residents have been reminded to check their stormwater systems. Officials warned that illegal connections between gutters and the sewer network are worsening overflows. “These systems can’t handle rainwater,” said Councillor Zahid Badroodien. “We urge everyone to ensure proper drainage to protect homes and public infrastructure.”
The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 4 warning for continued disruptive rainfall, and authorities are preparing for the possibility of further flooding in low-lying areas.
Despite the challenges, communities and support organisations are rallying together to provide relief—and hope—amid the devastation.