Widespread floods hit Cape Town after Western Cape cold front, snow forecast for Eastern Cape

A significant winter storm wreaked havoc across Cape Town on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds that led to widespread flooding, damage to informal settlements and significant traffic disruptions across the city.

The fast-moving cold front hit the Western Cape - and Cape Town in particular - especially hard with extreme rainfall, flooded roads and motor vehicles submerged. It is expected to sweep through the country on Thursday, 26 June.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned that the same cold front will soon be hitting the Eastern Cape, which suffered deadly and widespread flooding earlier this month.

Since Wednesday morning, the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management has been responding to numerous incidents and is expected to continue on Thursday because of continued heavy rain expected over the city. 

Ali Sablay from Gift of the Givers said their teams have been inundated with calls for assistance since the early hours of Wednesday morning, as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc across the Western Cape.

Sablay said close to 1,000 residents were severely affected in Lwandle and Nomzamo, and multiple requests for assistance were received from Khayelitsha, Du Noon, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Philippi, Philippi East, Mitchells Plain, Chris Nissen Park, Macassar and Nyanga.

Sablay said that along the West Coast, the Saldanha Bay Municipality and West Coast Disaster Management called on Gift of the Givers after heavy downpours left the entire Middlespos Informal Settlement submerged, with hundreds of structures underwater.

“In response, Gift of the Givers will initiate full-scale humanitarian operations in Saldanha Bay starting tomorrow, as well as in informal settlements across the Cape Metropole,” said Sablay. 

The teams will be assisting with hot meals, blankets and warm clothing, baby care packs, essential hygiene and emergency supplies.

Gift of the Givers said they were also on high alert in the Garden Route, where further heavy rainfall was anticipated on Wednesday night.

Cape Town - #Flooding Ottery #ColdFront #CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/rlWrf1m4Z4

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) June 25, 2025

Saws reported that the cold front made landfall in the southwestern parts of the country, resulting in 30% to 60% showers and rain in the western parts, but 80% in the southwestern coast. 

They added that snow is possible over the high-lying area of the Western Cape and Northern Cape, with disruptive rainfall and snow, as well as damaging winds and waves.

As of Wednesday afternoon, localised flooding was reported in a growing number of areas across the city, including Vygieskraal, Parkwood, Bonnytoun, Lotus Park, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and Overcome Heights. 

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan said that residents in Lwandle, Macassar and Khayelitsha have requested flood kits, and assessments were underway in the New Culture and Gxagxa informal settlements following reports of wind damage and flooding.

Several canals, including those in Vygieskraal and Wolmarans Street in Southfield, have overflowed, exacerbating the flooding. 

According to the City, about 269 structures have been affected in Vygieskraal, impacting around 600 people. In Voël Street, Belgravia, 55 structures have been flooded. 

The Mustadafin Foundation and Islamic Relief are assisting affected residents in Vygieskraal and Belgravia, while City departments are clearing drainage systems where feasible, and attending to fallen trees and other debris blocking roadways.

At Van Riebeeck Park in Oranjezicht, a part of the road has washed away, which is being attended to, and traffic officers are assisting with traffic management and detours.

“It is anticipated that the changing tides later this [Wednesday] evening will assist with stormwater drainage in low-lying areas adjacent to waterbodies connected to the sea,” said Lategan.

Residents who want to assist with humanitarian relief efforts are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items such as rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans, baby formula and personal hygiene items.

These can be dropped off at City of Cape Town fire stations in Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg, which are all open 24/7.

Read more: Deadly Mthatha flood underscores worsening factors increasing risks for SA

Lategan said the City’s Roads and Stormwater teams have been working to clear flooded roadways, while the Recreation and Parks Department was attending to fallen trees and debris that have been reported in Blue Downs, Constantia, Blackheath, Sunningdale and Bellville.

“The sheer volume of ongoing rainfall is causing vleis, rivers and canals to reach capacity. This causes water to back up in the stormwater system and on to our roads, which then act as water conduits.

“Low-lying areas, areas below steep mountainous terrain, and areas near canals and other water bodies will experience localised flooding while rainfall remains heavy,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas.

The persistent rainfall has led to treacherous driving conditions, with widespread flooding on numerous roads. Cape Town’s City Traffic Services implemented several road closures on Wednesday and urged motorists to exercise extreme caution. Drivers were advised to reduce their speed, increase following distances and use their headlights.

City Traffic Services spokesperson, Maxine Bezuidehout, added that “a number of road closures are, in effect, at this time due to the persistent rainfall experienced today. Traffic officers are on duty in these areas to help regulate traffic and divert motorists appropriately.”

Read more: Weather service predicts below-normal rainfall for parts of Western Cape this winter 

Eastern Cape braces for cold front

Saws on Wednesday also issued warnings for the Eastern Cape as the cold front was expected to make landfall there as well on Wednesday, bringing with it strong to gale-force winds in the interior of the province that will last through Thursday.

As the front moves through the region on Thursday, it will be followed by a significant drop in temperature, leading to cold or very cold conditions across the province from Thursday into Friday, 27 June.

“Snowfalls of between 1cm to 5cm accumulation can be expected over the northern high-lying areas on Thursday. Very rough seas, with wave heights reaching 6m, and strong to gale force winds can also be expected in places along the Eastern Cape coast on Thursday into Friday,” Saws said in a statement.

The public and small stock farmers in the province were advised by Saws to prepare for the impending adverse weather conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Some of the key weather warnings for the Eastern Cape:

• Strong to gale-force winds are expected over the interior of the province on Wednesday and Thursday. A Yellow Level 2 warning is in effect for Wednesday and Thursday, cautioning against potential damage to settlements and the risk of runaway fires in areas, including Chris Hani District Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and Amahlathi Local Municipality;
• Cold to very cold conditions are predicted across the province from Thursday to Friday. Snowfall accumulations between 1cm and 5cm are expected over the northern high-lying areas on Thursday. A Yellow Level 1 warning has been issued for disruptive snow that could lead to traffic disruptions on icy roads and potential loss of vulnerable livestock in the Senqu and Elundini Local municipalities; and
• Coastal areas are expected to experience very rough seas, with wave heights reaching up to 6m from Thursday into Friday. A Yellow Level 2 warning is in place for damaging wind and waves between Plettenberg Bay and East London, which could create hazardous conditions for small sea vessels.

Read more: Why SA’s excellent disaster management and legislation failed the Eastern Cape

This comes after the deadly Eastern Cape flooding earlier this month, which hit Mthatha the hardest, and saw almost 5,000 homes destroyed and nearly 100 people killed.

Daily Maverick on Tuesday reported that provincial officials told Parliament 48,341 students and 413 schools were affected by the flooding in the province - total repairs to education facilities were estimated to cost R404-million.

Read more: Another cold front expected for Western Cape as Parliament hears how Eastern Cape reels from deadly deluge

Authorities urge public to heed safety warnings

The Western Cape’s weather is often driven by powerful cold fronts and cut-off low-pressure systems, which are responsible for the majority of the region’s rainfall and can lead to severe conditions and flooding.

Ahead of the winter season, the Western Cape provincial government confirmed its preparedness and issued safety advice for residents. Anton Bredell, the Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, stressed the importance of public cooperation. 

“We appeal to the public not to litter or dump in stormwater drains, as this will stop the water from draining away and cause even more flooding,” Bredell stated. 

He reminded the public of the following critical safety precautions: 

• Listen to the radio or check official municipal and South African Weather Service social media for updates to stay informed;
• If authorities advise you to evacuate, do so immediately. Disconnect utilities and appliances if time permits;
• Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded roads. Just 15cm of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of 60cm is enough to float a car. Floodwater can also be contaminated with sewage and dangerous chemicals, so contact should be avoided; and
• A “Grab-and-Go Kit” should be prepared with essentials such as important documents, medication, a phone charger and cash.

Bredell urged the public to trust and listen to emergency personnel during rescue operations. 

Minister Bredell noted: “These men and women are trained to keep us safe, and they risk their own lives to do this.”

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), police and the emergency services have also appealed to the maritime community, shoreline anglers, paddlers, sailors and coastal walkers and hikers to be cautious during the cold front.

“Don’t venture down to the coastline or launch to go to sea unless absolutely necessary. Commercial seafarers, sailors and fishermen who are at sea during this time - wear your life jackets while at sea and exercise caution,” said Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson. 

Who to call in emergency flooding incidents 

City of Cape Town officials and their NGO partners remain on standby to provide assistance where needed. 

Lategan said that residents requiring emergency assistance were urged to contact the Public Emergency Communication Centre.

📷Protect yourself and loved one during the winter weather. Strong winds, Snow, Strong waves.
Find below the contact persons for Disaster management in the province. #GCISFORYOU #Govzaupdates@GovernmentZA @g20org @SAWeatherServic pic.twitter.com/1ZNZUcD4Jw

— GCIS - Eastern Cape (@GCIS_ECape) June 25, 2025

“The public is reminded to direct any requests for City services via the online platforms or the Customer call centre on 0860 103 089.

“Emergency incidents should be directed to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700,” said Lategan.

Saws will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and said it would issue subsequent updates as required on X (@SAWeatherServic) and Facebook (South African Weather Service). DM