Storm-battered Western Cape declared a disaster area

CAPE TOWN - Amid several severe cold fronts, the Western Cape has been declared as a disaster area. 

The provincial government had approached the National Disaster Risk Management Centre for provincial disaster classification, with around 100,000 people significantly impacted by severe weather in Cape Town. 

More heavy rainfall is expected this weekend, as an orange level 6 warning has been issued for the Drakenstein, Witzenberg, and Stellenbosch municipalities. 

Provincial Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning spokesperson, Wouter Kriel, said that the province was faced with a huge humanitarian challenge.

"We can confirm that the National Disaster Management Centre has granted us a disaster classification. This will be very useful for us to mobilise resources from various spheres of government in the near future as we address these challenges."