W Cape residents urged to reconsider outdoor plans, inclement weather forecast

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing for people to reconsider any outdoor plans in the Western Cape this weekend with freezing and inclement weather forecast over the province.

Head of the Western Cape’s disaster management service, Colin Denier, says teams were preparing for heavy rains, strong coastal winds, low temperatures and snowfall.

The NSRI says it is on alert to respond to incidents of coastline flooding.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, has warned extreme sport enthusiasts against engaging in dangerous sports during the weekend.

“Extreme sports persons who enjoy an extreme sport, they do make best use of this kind of weather to do their sport. We are obviously appealing to the public, and these extreme sports people, not to take unnecessary risks based on the fact that the South African Weather Service are forecasting a severe cold front to pass over the country over this weekend,” says Lambinon.

The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre is putting measures in place to deal with what is predicted to be a very cold weekend in the Western Cape.

An intense cut-off low weather system is making landfall this evening, and heavy rains, strong coastal winds, together with very low temperatures and snow over high lying areas are expected.

Spokesperson for the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, Wouter Kriel says, “We are specifically concerned about areas in the Overstrand and the Garden Route Districts and also concerned around snowfall in high-lying areas. We are requesting  that people should rather postpone plans for outdoor activities this weekend. We have also met with Cape Nature and with other stakeholders to consider the possible closing of routes where people might be walking this weekend.”