The SANParks Table Mountain National Park Ranger teams conducted flood assessments across the park following the adverse weather conditions experienced in Cape Town over the past two days.

Table Mountain National Park management has further requested park users exercise caution during this time and wait for a drier period to access mountain hiking, horseback, and bike trails.

The park says that numerous pine trees in the Lower Tokai plantation were uprooted and fell as a result of the inclement weather.

“Localised flooding of the trails in Lower Tokai and the mass movement of soil in Upper Tokai have also been reported.

“Park users should avoid the mountain trails where slippery, wet, and muddy conditions persist to avoid having accidents and requiring rescue.

“People should not cross or walk through flowing water as there could be sinkholes underneath, which could cause serious injury. Park users are advised to wait for a drier period to access mountain hiking, horseback, and bike trails,” the park said.

The park also advised park users that there was no access for vehicles.

“Park users are kindly requested to exercise caution during this time and adhere to the rules of the park,” the park added.

Effected areas in Tokai:

Current situation in the Upper Tokai management tracks in the Central Section of Table Mountain National Park due to the recent floods in Cape Town. Picture: SANParks - Table Mountain National Park

Pine trees were uprooted, and there were extensive fuel loads in the pine plantation due to fallen debris.
Erosion of the equestrian track and stream.
Siltation of riverbeds impacting (flooding) CoCT greenbelt trails.
Tokai Arboretum, 6 trees uprooted and the management track was eroded.
Constantia Berg's slippage has increased.
Seven active slippages above the Zwaanswyk and Steenberg estates are noted. One slippage has damaged a residential property and fenceline.
Tokai overflow picnic is flooded.
The equestrian track was impacted.
Tokai Picnic- hazardous branches have fallen, including uprooted trees in the Tokai Pine plantation in Lower Tokai.

The park also said that it is aware of the following areas of concern:

Report of a developing sinkhole at the low-water bridge Schusterskraal (Scarborough).
Report of a fallen tree on Plateau Road close to the Cape Point Main Gate.
Landslide off the hiking trail to the Admirals Waterfall in Simonstown.
A road verge erosion in Noordhoek Circuit - Silvermine West.
Report of a new gabion structure on the verge of collapsing below Silvermine Dam.
Landslide at Chapman's Peak Drive.

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