CT communities urged to keep children away from flood waters

CAPE TOWN - Communities are being urged to keep children away from flood waters. 

Cape Town Disaster Management's Sonica Lategan said that the metro's CCTV network had shown children playing in flooded roadways and near water bodies.

"We appeal to communities to please keep children away from water bodies, as it is a health and safety risk.The city continues to monitor, and respond to the impacts from the inclement weather experienced in recent days." 

Various NGOs, including Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, the Mustadafin Foundation and Living Hope, have been involved in humanitarian relief efforts. 

Lategan said that since the start of the week, they had distributed almost 45,000 meals and nearly 10,000 blankets, along with beanies, mattresses and hygiene packs.

"The city’s informal settlements management branch has issued more than 6,500 flood kits, while other service departments continue to attend to flooded roadways and electrical faults, amongst others. Assessments are also ongoing, of additional impacts brought about by the latest cold front that made landfall overnight."

'STILL FIGHTING TO HELP THE ANIMALS'

The damaging winds and heavy rains currently lashing the Cape have caused significant damage to the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha, leaving both their clinic and shelter flooded.
 
The hospital and theatre roofs sustained damages amounting to R20,000, while the sterilisation clinic requires urgent repairs at a cost of about R10,000.
 
The facility is currently operating at capacity, with a large number of sick pets and homeless dogs and cats. 
 
The clinic's Marcelle du Plessis: "The Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha is suffering in the storm but we are still fighting to help the animals. These are unforeseen expenses and is putting an immense strain on our already tight budget. We are really asking the public for support with any donations to help us."