Severe flooding triggered by persistent heavy rainfall has forced the Eastern Cape Department of Health to temporarily close the Gqeberha Community Health Centre in Walmer. The facility sustained extensive water damage, rendering key areas such as consulting rooms, patient waiting spaces, and other critical service points unsafe and inaccessible. Services were suspended on May 7, 2026, with reopening targeted for Monday following drainage, cleaning, and infrastructure assessments.
In a statement, the department noted that stormwater overflow from the ongoing weather system caused the disruption. Patients requiring care have been redirected to the nearby Walmer 14th Avenue Clinic, approximately 3 kilometres away. Staff from the affected centre have been redeployed to the alternative facility to maintain continuity of healthcare services in the area.
The closure forms part of broader impacts from an intense cut-off low-pressure system monitored by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). This system has brought widespread rain, localised flooding, and even snowfall to parts of the Eastern and Western Cape. In the Eastern Cape, heavy rainfall has particularly affected the Sarah Baartman District, including sections of the N9 near Middelburg and routes between Graaff-Reinet and Murraysburg via the Ouberg Pass.
Emergency medical services, including aero-medical teams, remain on high alert to respond to incidents in affected and hard-to-reach communities. Residents experiencing life-threatening emergencies are advised to contact 112 immediately. SAWS has issued multiple severe weather warnings, with levels ranging from 2 to 8 across various regions between May 5 and 7. An Orange Level 8 warning — one of the highest alerts — was active for parts of the Garden Route, including George, Knysna, Bitou, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn.
Eastern Cape Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa called on residents to exercise caution, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, infants, and those with chronic conditions. She highlighted risks including hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions, with symptoms such as excessive shivering, confusion, fatigue, slurred speech, and poor coordination. Residents were urged to use safe heating methods, dress in layers, avoid unnecessary travel, and support those in need during the inclement weather.
The department confirmed it is working closely with disaster management teams and will provide regular updates as conditions evolve. This incident highlights the vulnerability of public health infrastructure to extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and intense in parts of South Africa.
