Western Cape authorities will be looking to start mop-up operations on Thursday as a deadly storm peters out and heads inland.

Eight people lost their lives in the storm that wreaked havoc across the province.

The South African Weather Service is warning that heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough seas in Cape Town may persist until Friday.

Disaster Management is appealing to residents to remain cautious.

Severe weather is also being experienced elsewhere in the country.

There is a heightened risk for fires in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

People are warned to avoid crossing rivers and to listen for special warnings on radio or television.

Disaster management teams are monitoring vulnerable areas.

Road closures due to storm surge:
-Beach Road and Helen Suzman Boulevard, Sea Point.Three Anchor Bay and Beach Roads, Sea Point. –Alternate Route: Main Road, Green Point, High Level Road, Sea Point, Regent Road, Sea Point.
-Baden Powell Drive. Alternate Route: Strandfontein Road, 5th Avenue and Main Road, Grassy Park and Prince George Drive.

Informal Settlement flooding update:
-Disaster Management officials made assessments in the following areas: Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Macassar Village, Faure and Wesbank. At this stage we can confirm that 827 structures and 2502 people have been experiencing discomfort due to the cold and wet conditions.

-NGO partners are providing humanitarian relief in the form of hot meals, blankets and clothing.
Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA) are providing sandbags and sand to affected communities and they have 24 standby crews that will attends to any flood incidents that could occur.
-Recreation and Parks are removing the uprooted trees.
-Informal Settlements are providing flood kits for the affected dwellings.

The South African Weather Services has advised that the current weather conditions will persist until approximately 5am-6am tomorrow morning where after the showers will subside.

[Source: ENCA/VOC]