It is expected to bring with it heavy rain and gale force winds, raising fears of flooding.

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town authorities say they are putting measures in place ahead of a strong cold front which is expected to lash the city from Tuesday evening.

It is expected to bring with it heavy rain and gale force winds, raising fears of flooding.

Snowfall can also be expected in surrounding regions.

Local Government and Environmental Affairs spokesperson James-Brent Styan says: “The department is very happy about the rain expected to fall over the next few days. However, we are concerned about the adverse weather conditions that go with that. We call on people to exercise caution and to avoid flooded areas.”

Watch: 7 June 2017: Heavy rain possible in Cape Metro, Cape Winelands, Overberg District of WC Wednesday into Thursday morning. — SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 5, 2017

HIGH ALERT

The Western Cape Environmental Affairs Department says the air force has been placed on standby as a strong cold front builds up.

Styan says disaster management measures are in place.

“We are proactively activating the disaster management centre at 10pm. We have contacted the South African Air Force. They are on standby. Other emergency rescue units are all on high alert.”

DROUGHT

The Western Cape is in the grips of the worst drought in decades, with several regions being declared disaster areas.

Agri Western Cape's Carl Opperman says the situation for farmers is dire.

“Wheat farmers need water to start germination. It is very, very dry.”

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has implemented Level 4 water restrictions to save water.

Level 4 restrictions include the following:

• No irrigation/watering with municipal drinking water is allowed.

• Private swimming pools may not be topped up or filled with municipal drinking water, even if they have a cover.

• No washing of vehicles and boats with municipal water is allowed (commercial car washes may apply for an exemption, which will only be granted if wash water is recycled or waterless products are used).

• Water features may not use municipal drinking water.

• No hosing down of paved surfaces with municipal drinking water is allowed.

Use of portable play pools is prohibited. Residents have also been urged to keep their water consumption to under 100 litres per person per day.

(Edited by Shimoney Regter)