Weather warnings as intense cold front sweeps across Cape provinces
Cape Town's disaster operations centre confirmed reports of flooding, fallen trees and debris hours after an icy cold front made landfall on Wednesday in the Western Cape.
Reports of localised flooding were received from several areas including Vygieskraal, Parkwood, Bonnytoun, Gxagxa informal settlement, Lotus Park, Klipfontein Rd/Barcelona, Phola Park, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and Overcome Heights.
'Earlier, requests for flood kits from some residents in Lwandle, Macassar and Khayelitsha were escalated to the city's informal settlements management branch,' said disaster risk management spokesperson Sonica Lategan.
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The Herald
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Weather warnings as intense cold front sweeps across Cape provinces
Cape Town's disaster operations centre confirmed reports of flooding, fallen trees and debris hours after an icy cold front made landfall on Wednesday in the Western Cape. Reports of localised flooding were received from several areas including Vygieskraal, Parkwood, Bonnytoun, Gxagxa informal settlement, Lotus Park, Klipfontein Rd/Barcelona, Phola Park, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and Overcome Heights. 'Earlier, requests for flood kits from some residents in Lwandle, Macassar and Khayelitsha were escalated to the city's informal settlements management branch,' said disaster risk management spokesperson Sonica Lategan.
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This occurs when groundwater moves upward through the masonry via capillary action. Without damp-proof membranes or adequate drainage, internal wall surfaces become saturated, leading to blistering paint, mould growth and timber decay. This is particularly problematic in historical Durban properties, where retrofitting for damp-proofing is complicated by preservation requirements. Soil erosion and piping In Expansive soil movement Expansive clays found in parts of Umlazi and Ntuzuma expand and contract with moisture content. In dry conditions, these soils shrink, causing structures to settle unevenly. In wet conditions, swelling puts upward pressure on foundations. Without sub-soil drainage systems such as perimeter drains, moisture control becomes nearly impossible. Study reference: Van der Merwe and Weeks (2015) demonstrated that in KwaZulu-Natal, 60% of foundation problems in low-cost housing were linked to expansive soil movement, exacerbated by poor site drainage. 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Sub-soil drainage systems These include: Perforated PVC piping systems (French drains) Geotextile-wrapped drainage aggregates Vertical drainage composite sheets Subsurface soakaways or attenuation tanks In Durban, municipal infrastructure upgrades have begun to include such systems under new roads and retaining structures to extend service life and prevent washouts. 2. Site-specific geotechnical investigation A pre-construction geotechnical survey can identify drainage risks. For instance, areas with high clay content or a shallow water table can be engineered using reinforced foundations, controlled fill and proper drainage. 3. Regular maintenance of existing systems Blocked drainage pipes, clogged weep holes or poorly sloped landscaping can render even well-designed systems ineffective. In several cases across Hillcrest, scheduled maintenance of stormwater systems has prevented structural water ingress in high-rainfall months. South African legal framework and guidelines In South Africa, SANS 10400 Part H (Foundations) and Part R (Stormwater Disposal) regulate aspects of drainage. Compliance is often inconsistent, especially in informal or older developments. Durban's building inspectors have noted that poor drainage detailing is one of the top five compliance failures during foundation inspections. The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) requires that new dwellings incorporate effective drainage systems and that geotechnical conditions be considered in the foundation design. Non-compliance could void insurance claims in case of structural failure. Conclusion Poor sub-soil drainage is not just a nuisance – it is a serious structural hazard. In water-rich regions like Durban, where rainfall and clay soil predominate, inadequate drainage is directly linked to costly failures. Engineers, architects and developers must prioritise site-specific water management strategies to prevent structural damage. Through proper geotechnical assessment, installation of robust drainage systems and adherence to legal frameworks, many of these failures can be avoided. As Durban continues to urbanise, sustainable drainage planning must form the cornerstone of resilient infrastructure design.
