A powerful storm continues to batter Cape Town and other parts of the Western Cape, leaving a trail of destruction across informal settlements and residential areas.
The worst-affected regions include the Cape Metro, Drakenstein and Franschhoek, where heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds have disrupted communities.
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers says its teams have been overwhelmed by thousands of emergency calls from residents in flood-stricken informal settlements.
Severe weather has caused extensive damage, with strong winds tearing roofs from homes, trees crashing onto properties and widespread flooding reported in multiple communities.
In the Lwandle informal settlement, many homes have been submerged by floodwaters. Gift of the Givers is working alongside disaster management officials to assist affected families as rescue and relief operations continue.
Authorities have also reported increasing damage to schools across the Cape Winelands district, forcing several institutions to close due to unsafe conditions.
In Cape Town, the suburb of Wynberg has emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas. Multiple homes sustained roof damage, while fallen trees caused destruction to at least one property.
One resident described the terrifying moment strong winds ripped the roof from her house.
“It was extremely traumatic. The sound of the wind tearing off the roof sheeting was frightening, especially being alone in the house at the time,” she said.
Emergency services remain on high alert as adverse weather conditions persist across the province.