Western Cape authorities on high alert as extreme weather batters province

CAPE TOWN - Disaster Risk Management authorities in the Western Cape are on high alert.

This is as disruptive rainfall and extreme weather conditions batter the province.

The Weather Service has issued a Level 9 warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall.

READ: Storms shut down schools in Western Cape

The Huguenot Tunnel outside Paarl and numerous other roads around Cape Town have been closed.

Over 350 schools have also been closed.

Fires have also broken out in some areas.

READ: Cape Town Fires | Another fire rips through Kayamandi

Premier Alan Winde is urging people to avoid passes and low-lying areas.

"We took the decision yesterday [Sunday] -- not an easy decision to make -- but we closed schools in the Overberg and Winelands regions and in the Helderberg basin," said Winde.

"We had devastating winds, many schools lost their roofs and many citizens also lost their homes and lost roofs on their houses.

"We had up to 40 fires yesterday [Sunday] across the province so it was a tough day with very strong winds."