South Africa's Western Cape suffered severe, unseasonal flooding over the weekend, affecting an estimated 18,000 people, the City of Cape Town reported.

Rainfall reached up to 200mm in some parts of the province, according to grower association Hortgro.

Although damage estimates were still underway, initial reports indicated significant hail damage to stonefruit orchards in some areas.

"Currently some orchards are very wet and an in depth investigation is not possible yet. Some farms in the Agter Witzenberg area of Ceres could have lost more that 50% of their crop while less damages are estimated in other areas such as Warm Bokkeveld, Wolseley and parts of the Little Karoo," a Hortgro representative told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"Apricots, especially Supergold and Palsteyn, plums and early varieties of nectarines and peaches as well as cherries were mainly affected."

Damages appeared less severe for the berry sector. In light of extensive frosts in Chile and Argentina this year, Eurafruit managing director Trevor McKenzie said Western Cape blueberries had fared relatively well in the floods.

Lourensford wine estate near Somerset West reported no damages to its vineyards or stonefruit orchards, manager Piet Uys told Farmersweekly.co.za. He said farm roads would need repairs, however.

Somerset West, alongside Strand, was reported by the City of Cape Town as one of the areas most affected by the flooding.

Agri Wes-Cape said the flash flooding had hurt urban areas more than rural, although some farms had been hit hard. The agricultural body began assessments of 18 regions Monday morning and expected clearer assessments later in the week.

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