Warning: Cape wind to get wild

2009-11-16 22:39

Marelize Barnard

Cape Town - Crisis management teams are on a state of alert after warnings were issued that a gale-force south-easterly wind could become critically dangerous on Tuesday and Wednesday between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas.

Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for Cape Town's disaster management unit, said that after the SA Weather Service upgraded the warning to gale force strength, teams have been at the ready to provide assistance during emergencies.

The south-easterly which could reach speeds up to 65km/h can be especially dangerous in the case of veld and bush fires. Members of the public are asked to be extra careful when making braai fires.

People are once again asked not to throw cigarette stubs out of cars.

The late winter rains and high rainfall have led to very dense vegetation growth. This increases the danger of bush fires developing even more.

Be on the alert

People living on the outskirts of the city next to open fields are being advised to be very careful and alert. Powell warned that it is quite possible that trees could be uprooted.

The fortified (stabilised) Chapman's Peak road is being monitored constantly.

With the expected gale force winds, drivers of high buses should be extra careful on this road with its many sharp bends.

Eric Eksteen, tunnel manager at the Huguenot tunnel, said a very strong wind between the toll plaza and the mouth of the tunnel - especially across the bridge on the southern side of the tunnel - can create problems, especially for trucks not carrying cargo.

Eksteen said it depended on the kind of vehicle on the road. Normal vehicles should not be influenced, but vehicles with trailers and empty trucks covered by tarps on the sides may experience difficulties.

- Die Burger