Western Cape authorities have closed dozens of roads and mountain passes after severe storms caused extensive flooding and infrastructure damage [1].
The closures disrupt critical transport links and emergency access across the province, complicating recovery efforts for thousands of residents displaced by the weather.
The storms, which hit in early May 2026, brought rainfall accumulations of 200 to 300 mm [6]. This volume of water triggered landslides and caused significant damage to electricity and water infrastructure, rendering many routes unsafe for travel [3, 5].
Among the affected areas are the Cape Winelands, Eden, and the Central Karoo [2, 4]. The Bainskloof Pass remains closed as authorities work to assess the damage [4].
The human toll of the weather system has been severe. While initial reports indicated three deaths [3], the death toll later rose to 10 [4]. Approximately 90,000 people were displaced from their homes [4].
Education was also heavily impacted during the peak of the storms. Authorities closed 122 schools in the Cape Winelands, and 11 schools in the Eden and Central Karoo areas [2].
Road management agencies continue to monitor the stability of mountain passes and arterial roads. The closures remain in effect as crews clear debris and repair washed-out sections of the highway network [1].
“Approximately 90,000 people were displaced from their homes.”
The scale of the displacement and the prolonged closure of critical passes like Bainskloof highlight the vulnerability of the Western Cape's infrastructure to extreme weather events. The discrepancy in early casualty reports suggests the chaotic nature of the initial emergency response, while the widespread school closures indicate a total systemic shutdown in the hardest-hit districts.
