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Mudslides Could Follow Cape Town FiresGIS Aids Disaster PreventionThe detrimental effects of the fires that swept Cape Town, South Africa, this year are now being felt as the rainy season starts. These blazing fires have left a trail of arid land without any vegetation to stabilize the soil, and now there is a very real danger of mudslides occurring in the area. However, due to the GIS deployed by local councils in the Cape Metropolitan Area and the Metro Joint Operational Centre, the precise location of oncoming mudslides can be predicted and preventative measures taken. "GIS software is being used to map the areas that were burned and determine their slope and soil conditions. We can pinpoint areas where mudslides are more likely to occur, and then take action to stabilize these areas," says Doug Milne, head of the Information Services Department, Cape Metropolitan Council (CMC). "We are also working together and continuously exchanging data with the National Parks Board, as well as the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, to rehabilitate the areas that were burned. As time passes and more information is added to the GIS database, it will be even more useful should another disaster occur." Milne's department uses ArcInfo, ArcView GIS, ArcIMS, and ArcStorm, supplying GIS data to the Cape Metropolitan Council as well as the six metropolitan local councils (MLCs) in the area. The MLCs have also adopted GIS, using the software to assist with zoning, building plans, water supply, electricity supply, roads, and other functions. At the CMC level, the software is used for environmental work, housing, planning, service provision, economic development, catchment management, metro roads, finance levies, and the Metro Joint Operational Centre. For more information, contact Doug Milne, director, Information Services, Cape Metropolitan Council (e-mail: dmilne@cmc.gov.za, tel.: 27-21-487-2264, fax: 27-21-487-2269). |
