The detrimental effects of the fires that swept Cape Town this year are now being felt as the rainy season starts. The blazing fires have left a trail of arid land without any vegetation to stabilise the soil. This means that there is a very real danger of mudslides occurring in the area.

However, thanks to the software from Geographical Information Management Systems (GIMS) deployed by the local councils in the Cape Metropolitan Area and the Metro Joint Operational Centre, the precise location of oncoming mudslides will be predicted and preventative measures will be taken.

"Geographic information systems (GIS) software is being used to map the areas that were burned and determine their slope and soil conditions. Using this software we can pinpoint areas where mudslides are more likely to occur and then take action to stabilise these areas," says Doug Milne, Head of the Information Services Department, Cape Metropolitan Council.

"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 the ESRI suite of software for its GIS system, including ArcInfo, ArcView, and ArcStorm. In June 2000, the department will upgrade its system from ArcView IMS to ArcIMS, and from ArcInfo 7 to ArcInfo 8.

The Information Services Department supplies GIS data to the Cape Metropolitan Council (CMC) as well as the six Metropolitan Local Councils (MLCs) in the area. The MLCs have adopted the ESRI software which assists them with a number of their functions. These include zoning, building plans, water supply, electricity supply, sewerage, storm water, roads and valuations. At the CMC level, the software is used for environmental work, housing, planning, service provision, economic development, catchment management, metro roads, finance levies, and for the metro operational centre.

GIMS

(011) 315 0390