The death toll from severe flooding in South Africa’s Western Cape has increased to 11 after the body of an 82-year-old man was recovered on a neighbouring farm in Worcester in the Breede Valley. He had been swept away by floodwaters.
Rescue and recovery teams continue working in affected areas, many of which remain without water supply and, in large parts, without electricity. Teams are racing against time to reach people isolated for days without food or water due to roads washed away by the floods.
One key access road linking areas has been closed for most of the week. Rescuers were unable to deploy inflatable craft because of strong currents but found an alternative route around a collapsed bridge to reach an alfalfa farm. Poor cell phone signals, compounded by widespread power outages, have significantly hampered coordination.
A responder highlighted ongoing communication challenges in multi-agency operations. Information often arrives delayed by a day or two. In one recent case, teams responded to reports of 20 to 30 people stranded at a farm but found the site abandoned upon arrival. A drone reconnaissance confirmed empty houses, suggesting residents had walked out after water levels subsided.
Local authorities reported that electricity has been restored to about 60% of the affected area, though significant sections of the municipality still lack power. A major stretch of water pipe was washed away, requiring heavy equipment brought in from outside the immediate area for repairs. Full restoration of water supply to all communities is estimated for Sunday.
Farm workers living near the Holsloot River described traumatic scenes as fast-flowing water overwhelmed their homes. On one farm, structures collapsed into the river, with furniture and even a vehicle swept away as the ground gave way. Many residents now face uncertainty about their future and have lost possessions.
Humanitarian aid has been distributed, but residents noted that power outages caused food in fridges to spoil. Immediate needs include nappies for children and bedridden elders, along with clothing, bedding, and furniture. One resident described conditions in Spooky Town, where an elderly woman’s house was largely destroyed, leaving only bedrooms dry while dining and kitchen areas remain flooded.
The storm damage in this largely farming community is estimated to exceed tens of millions of rands. Local engagement is underway, with plans to involve the provincial minister of agriculture to address impacts on farms and farm workers.
In Rawsonville’s Spooky Town, an informal settlement on the banks of the Smalblaar River, residents were devastated after the swollen river burst its banks on Monday, flooding makeshift homes. Community members said they have appealed for years to authorities for relocation to safer ground. One resident urged the municipality to provide alternative land, noting the river’s flooding had not previously reached this extent.
The municipality has stated that plans for the community’s relocation are in progress. Many communities in the region remain cut off as recovery continues.
