Latest news with #SonicaLategan
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Disaster Risk Management squares up for next frontal system
The SA Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning for yellow level 4 disruptive rainfall this coming weekend. Image: File As the SA Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning for yellow level 4 disruptive rainfall this coming weekend, the City's Disaster Risk Management Centre will once again coordinate emergency responses to any impacts brought about by the forecast. The forecast is from Friday into Sunday. Among the potential impacts are localised flooding of roads and settlements and saturation of waterways. "We have alerted our NGO partners who will provide humanitarian assistance where needed," said Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Sonica Lategan. "We ask that residents please address any issues on their properties to mitigate the risk of localised flooding. Also, please log service requests for any City-related services so that these can be assigned to the relevant departments." Motor vehicle accidents tend to soar during heavy rains. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Lategan said the safety of City staff members will also be considered. "The rate of assessment and action can be slowed by prevailing weather conditions, and we also have to consider the safety of staff members. If required, our Disaster Coordinating Committee will convene to coordinate responses where needed. However, I do want to appeal to the public to help ease the load where possible. For example, motor vehicle accidents tend to soar during wet weather spells, eating into available enforcement and emergency resources. Do your bit and employ driving tactics that are appropriate for the road conditions." The City's donation drop-off points are the following fire stations: Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg. Donors can also email for collection. Anyone wishing to assist can donate clothing for all ages, non-perishable food items like rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans and baby formula, as well as personal hygiene items. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Cape Town faces a level 4 rainfall warning this weekend
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in Cape Town, set to begin on Friday, 4 July, and last through Sunday, 6 July. Local authorities have activated emergency protocols to prepare for flooding and infrastructure disruptions. The City's Disaster Risk Management Centre has taken charge of coordinating the municipal response to the expected heavy rainfall. 'The Disaster Risk Management Centre will once again coordinate the City's response to any impacts brought about by the forecast,' said spokesperson Sonica Lategan. She added that NGO partners had been notified to offer humanitarian assistance where needed. Residents are advised to inspect their properties for potential flood risks and to log any service-related issues for attention. Flooding is expected to impact roads, informal settlements, and waterways, particularly in low-lying areas. Authorities are calling on the public to play their part in minimising rainfall disruptions. 'Motor vehicle accidents tend to soar during wet weather spells, eating into available enforcement and emergency resources. Do your bit and employ driving tactics that are appropriate for the road conditions,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. Smith also encouraged residents to support relief efforts. 'Our NGO partners do sterling work under trying conditions… If you are by the means, please lend a hand,' he said. The city shared key tips to reduce flood damage, including avoiding construction in low-lying areas, raising floor levels, sealing roofs and walls, and using sandbags or trenches to divert water. Residents are also urged to keep stormwater drains clear to reduce water buildup. While officials promise swift responses to weather-related issues, they warned that adverse conditions could delay action. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
26-06-2025
- Climate
- TimesLIVE
Disruptive snow alert for parts of Eastern Cape as cold front marches on
The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued several warnings for disruptive rainfall, snow and waves for two provinces as humanitarian relief organisations on Thursday helped residents battered by a strong cold front in the Western Cape. At least 600 people were being assisted in Vygieskraal and Belgravia by organisations including the Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief in Cape Town, said disaster risk management spokesperson Sonica Lategan. Heavy rain led to trees falling, road closures and heavy traffic congestion in the city on Wednesday. Safety and security MMC JP Smith said 15 vehicle accidents and three pedestrian accidents were attended to during the deluge. A tanker carrying nitric acid overturned on Wednesday night at Rooshoek in Wellington. 'The tanker remained intact and no nitric acid was spilt. All diesel has been contained. No injuries were reported,' said the Cape Winelands district municipality. 'Rain is hampering recovery efforts and the road will remain closed for the next few hours.' Smith urged motorists to increase following distances, reduce speed and be patient in inclement weather expected to persist over the province and bring snowfall to parts of the Eastern Cape on Thursday. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said part of the roof at the organisation's Wildlife Centre collapsed in the midst of the storm on Wednesday. 'Cape Town took a beating. Strong wind, icy temperatures and driving rain have wrecked havoc in the city — and we haven't been spared. Part of the roof in our Wildlife Centre collapsed in the midst of the storm,' it said. 'We're grateful that no animals or staff were harmed, but the damage is significant and comes at the worst possible time, when every cent we have is needed for animal rescues.' Saws issued a yellow level-2 warning for disruptive rainfall leading to localised flooding of susceptible formal and informal settlements or roads and low-lying areas over the Cederberg, City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands districts of in the Western Cape and the western parts of the Overberg district during the morning. Warnings were issued for: damaging waves along the coast between Plettenberg Bay and East London; damaging wind between Port Edward and Cape Vidal; and damaging wind between Cape Agulhas and East London. As the cold front moves across the country, Saws also issued a warning for the flood-ravaged Eastern Cape for 'disruptive snow resulting in traffic disruption due to icy roads and loss of vulnerable livestock and crops in Senqu and Elundini local municipalities on Thursday. 📷Protect yourself and loved one during the winter weather. Strong winds, Snow, Strong waves. Find below the contact persons for Disaster management in the province. #GCISFORYOU #Govzaupdates @GovernmentZA @g20org @SAWeatherServic — GCIS - Eastern Cape (@GCIS_ECape) June 25, 2025
The Herald
26-06-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
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.
The Herald
08-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Capetonians in for weekend cold front with gale-force wind, big waves
Capetonians were warned on Thursday to batten down the hatches before an incoming weekend cold front with damaging wind and waves forecast along the coast. 'The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 4 warning about damaging wind and waves associated with an incoming cold front,' said City of Cape Town disaster risk management spokesperson Sonica Lategan. 'The forecast is for strong to gale-force northwesterly to westerly winds along the Western Cape coast between Friday evening and Saturday evening, with the wind starting to moderate from Saturday afternoon. 'Potential effects could include uprooted trees, damage to roofs, an increased risk of runaway fires and disruption of coastal activities.'
