One person has died in the severe rains lashing the eastern parts of the Garden Route. A 37-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell onto her car in Knysna.
She has been identified as Lauren Fredericks, a social worker with the Western Cape Department of Social Development. MEC Jaco Londt says she was on her way to assist evacuated residents when the tragic incident occurred.
The heavy rains have triggered flooding, evacuations and widespread disruption across the southern Cape. More than 200 millimetres of rain have fallen in the Bitou municipal area, with authorities warning that the intense downpours have severely impacted infrastructure, homes and major transport routes. Plettenberg Bay and Knysna remain among the hardest-hit areas, where rivers have burst their banks and dozens of residents have been evacuated to safer areas.
The South African Weather Service has issued multiple high-level warnings for the Western Cape as a powerful cut-off low pressure system moves across the province. An Orange Level 8 warning for disruptive rainfall remains in place for parts of the Garden Route, with officials warning of widespread flooding, mudslides, road closures and possible damage to bridges and public infrastructure.
Additional warnings have also been issued for the Central Karoo, Kannaland and Hessequa municipalities, where flooding of roads and settlements is expected to continue into Thursday. Weather forecasters say the slow-moving system is bringing prolonged periods of rain, gale-force winds and bitterly cold temperatures across large sections of the province.
Authorities are also monitoring the risk of snowfall over high-lying areas of the Western Cape and neighbouring Eastern Cape. The South African Weather Service has warned that mountain passes may become dangerous or inaccessible due to snow accumulation and icy conditions.
Along the coastline, rough seas and damaging winds have raised concerns for maritime activities and beachfront communities. Wave heights between five and seven metres are expected along parts of the southern coastline, while strong winds could lead to power interruptions and damage to informal structures.
Provincial disaster management teams, municipalities and emergency services remain on high alert as rescue and relief operations continue. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from swollen rivers and heed evacuation instructions where necessary.
Meanwhile, several schools in parts of the Eden and Central Karoo districts have been closed as a precaution due to the dangerous weather conditions.
