- Heavy rainfall in Cape Town led to multiple road closures and traffic disruptions.
- Chapman’s Peak and Clarence Drive remain closed, while Baden Powell Drive has reopened.
- Mudslide near Miller’s Point in Simonstown has resulted in a stop-go system.
- Weather forecast for the weekend predicts continued rain and strong winds.
Heavy rainfall in Cape Town caused multiple road closures and traffic disruptions on Friday, 12 July 2024.
Heavy rainfall exacerbates road closures in Cape Town
Cape Town Traffic Services are currently addressing the significant impacts of heavy rainfall that have led to flooding and obstructions on several major roads.
Persistent rain has exacerbated existing issues, forcing the closure of key routes such as Chapman’s Peak and Clarence Drive.
While Baden Powell Drive has been reopened, traffic remains heavily impacted across the city.
Flooding on Jakes Gerwel Drive and Denneboom Avenue in Thornton resulted in substantial delays, with further flooding at the entrance to GrandWest along Jakes Gerwel Drive, where the left lane onto Viking Way has been closed.
Additionally, the off-ramp at Borcherds Quarry Road and the N2 experienced severe flooding, closing the left lane on Borcherds Quarry Road to Nyanga, and causing significant delays for commuters.
In Simonstown, a mudslide on Main Road near Miller’s Point Resort has necessitated the implementation of a stop-go system.
Motorists are urged to proceed with caution as crews work to clear the debris and ensure the safety of the roadway.
Traffic signals in the Area South region have been affected by the inclement weather.
Cape Town Traffic Services advised motorists to treat all affected intersections as four-way stops during off-peak hours to ensure safe navigation through these areas.
Cape Town weather forecast for this weekend
The South African Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for the Western Cape region.
On Friday, 12 July 2024, Cape Town is expected to experience continued adverse weather conditions with a high of 14°C and a low of 11°C.
Approximately 9.5 mm of rainfall is forecasted, accompanied by moderate to fresh northwesterly winds blowing at speeds of 15-20 km/h.
A Yellow Level 4 Warning for Damaging Winds is in place for the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Central Karoo, and the western parts of the Garden Route District Municipalities.
These strong winds pose a risk of further damage to infrastructure and potential disruption to transportation services.
Additionally, a Yellow Level 4 Warning for Disruptive Rain has been issued, predicting localised flooding of roads and settlements, particularly over the City of Cape Town, Swartland, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, and Theewaterskloof municipalities.
The series of significant cold fronts expected to continue affecting the Western and Northern Cape until Sunday bring with them intermittent heavy rainfall, snowfalls, very cold conditions, and strong coastal and interior winds, alongside very rough seas.