The humanitarian aid organization Gift of the Givers has deployed multiple response teams across the Garden Route, with relief supplies pre-positioned in George, Sedgefield, Oudtshoorn, and the Klein Karoo. Disaster management teams remain on high alert as rising rivers and saturated ground heighten flooding risks throughout the region.
The southern Cape is currently experiencing inclement weather driven by a strong, intense cold front that has brought high levels of rainfall over the past few days. Some areas have recorded in excess of 100mm of rain in a very short period. With rivers and dams already full and soil saturated, water is flowing more rapidly than normal, aggravating conditions across the region.
Mario Ferreira, spokesperson for Gift of the Givers in the southern Cape, confirmed that calls for assistance are being received from various parts of the Garden Route, the Klein Karoo, and the upper Langeberg area. Several roads and low-water bridges have been flooded, rendering certain areas temporarily inaccessible.
“Fortunately, people were aware and expecting trouble after the recent flood about two weeks ago,” Ferreira said. “There’s been a lot of proactive work on the side of local disaster management. People in prone areas that were affected before have been evacuated.”
Temporary shelters, including community halls, have been activated to accommodate those displaced. Ferreira noted that requests for assistance include urgent delivery of medication to affected residents. In anticipation of escalating needs, Gift of the Givers has stationed teams and pre-packed supplies in warehouses across the region to enable a rapid response.
High-risk zones identified include the Plettenberg Bay and Wittedrift areas, which have already become isolated, as well as parts of the Oudtshoorn District. Ferreira added that communities in these areas had proactively secured extra stock in anticipation of the worsening weather.
“As conditions like these unfold, people need assistance now,” Ferreira stated. “We decided to be proactive and be on site so we can respond quicker if more people are affected.”
Local authorities continue to monitor river levels and weather patterns closely. Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to remain vigilant, follow evacuation instructions, and avoid crossing flooded roads or bridges.
