As heavy rain pummels WC, 24 people evacuated from their homes in Citrusdal
Rising water levels at the Olifants River has resulted in the flooding of several homes in the Riverview informal settlement, situated along the river.
Heavy rain in Citrusdal on 9 July 2024 caused the Olifants River to rise and flood parts of the town. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CITRUSDAL - As heavy rains continue to pummel communities across the Western Cape, at least 24 people have been evacuated from their flooded homes in Citrusdal.
The five families, including young children, are being housed at a nearby community centre.
This is not the first time evacuations have had to take place in the town, which is two hours from Cape Town.
Last month, about 200 people had to be evacuated and housed in a community centre.
About a year ago, the small town along the N7 was cut off completely as torrential rains caused the main road to collapse.
Rising water levels at the Olifants River has resulted in the flooding of several homes in the Riverview informal settlement, situated along the river.
EWN spoke to residents taking shelter at the community centre.
Masibulele Skhephe said that they were tired of being in the same situation every winter.
"The only reason we're here, is because there's water all over our houses, and the municipality brought us here to this hall. We want the municipality to help us with material to build houses and remove us from that corner. That's the best option that will help us."
The local municipality said that it expected to evacuate more people as heavy rain continues to batter the province.