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“The Western Cape Government is planning for a cold winter compounded by extended load shedding,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said during a Disaster Management Centre briefing to the Provincial Legislature today. According to the presentation, extended loadshedding at high levels can be expected this winter.

Minister Bredell said that winter has arrived with a weather advisory for the first strong winter cold front of the year which will impact the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape. The cold front will set in on Thursday afternoon with the following rainfall forecasted:

• South Coast can expect 40-50mm from Friday to Sunday.
• Cape Town can expect 10-20mm from Thursday into Friday.
• Cape Winelands can expect 30mm from Thursday to Saturday.

Very cold conditions are predicted for high lying areas of the interior with temperatures averaging 10⁰C on Friday and Saturday.  A light dusting of snow is possible overnight on Thursday and Friday on the high mountain peaks. Temperatures should start to increase on Sunday.

Minister Bredell said cold winter conditions coupled with load shedding provides for a new set of risks when viewed from a disaster risk management perspective. “We have planned and worked for all disaster management centres in the province to be able to address winter challenges such as flooding or wind damage, also during extended load shedding. Our rescue services have backup power and sufficient fuel reserves to respond when needed. We have also transferred R89 million to municipalities for the procurement of backup generators to safeguard essential water and sewage systems.”

Minister Bredell said provincial fire services are also at the ready. “During the summer months our focus is on wildfires, but in winter this focus changes to urban fires, especially in informal settlements, where a single cooking fire accident can quickly spread to the destruction of an entire settlement.”

Minister Bredell said this winter, with the added challenge of load shedding, will also bring unique challenges in this regard. “With reduced availability of electricity, more people will use open fires to cook. Also, with spells of extreme cold weather, more people will use wood or gas fires to heat their homes. This brings additional fire risks for established neighbourhoods as well as informal settlements. The Department of Local Government has up to date installed more than 13 000 smoke alarms in informal settlements in this regard.”

“We are urging all residents to be mindful when using open fires, gas heating, or candles in their homes this winter. Investing in a smoke alarm will be money well spent to keep your family safe this winter.”

Issued by The Western Cape Provincial Government