At least one person has died and widespread damage has been reported as severe storms lashed South Africa’s Western Cape province, which includes Cape Town.
The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and caused power outages across the region.
The brunt of the storm hit the Cape Winelands, Overberg, and West Coast regions, forcing closures of schools and highways. Infrastructure took a beating, with reports of damaged houses, roads, and public facilities.
Tragically, a security officer patrolling on a bike was killed when a tree uprooted by the wind fell on him.
The strong winds also exacerbated wildfires in Glencairn, Cape Town, where flames destroyed at least eight houses.
By Monday afternoon, power outages had plunged parts of Cape Town into darkness.
The provincial government deployed emergency services to address the situation, with Western Cape Premier Alan Winde urging residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.
The South African Weather Service has issued a high alert for the Western Cape and warned of potential flooding in other parts of the country, including KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
KwaZulu-Natal has a history of devastating floods, causing fatalities and significant damage to infrastructure.
