Gauteng EMS on high alert amid warnings of persistent rain and flooding

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an Orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain leading to major disruption of traffic flow due to roads being flooded or closed and possible damage to roads and bridges, for Gauteng and the central and eastern parts of both the Free State and North West.

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi says they are monitoring all seven regions of the city, especially communities in informal settlements.

“We have got our disaster management monitoring teams in all those areas; our 30 fire stations are fully operational, and we have the specialised swift water unit also on high alert.”

He’s urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving and avoid crossing flooded roads and bridges.

In Tshwane, EMS spokesperson Charles Mabaso says they are monitoring vulnerable areas that are prone to flooding such as Centurion, parts Mamelodi, Hammanskraal, Soshanguve, and Zithobeni.

“The Tshwane emergency services will continue to issue warnings around those areas. If there are any incidents of low water bridge being flooded; particularly around Centurion Rabie, End street, John Vorster, and Nelmapius Road, we will issue those warnings to residents.”

Mabaso and Mulaudzi also warned parents and guardians to always know the whereabouts of young children who may be tempted to swim or fall into water pools and other dangerous water bodies.

Both Joburg and Tshwane were yet to record incidents at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, other warnings of wet and dangerous weather conditions by the SAWS include:

A Yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with hail, damaging winds, and heavy downpours, which may result in localised flooding and damage to settlements, infrastructure, properties, and vehicles, is expected in places over the interior of the Eastern Cape, the eastern parts of the Northern Cape and the western parts of both the Free State and North West.

An Orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours leading to flooding of roads and bridges as well as damage to infrastructure is expected over the northern interior of the Eastern Cape.

A Yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rain leading to flooding of roads, informal and formal settlements, low-lying areas, and bridges as well as damages to infrastructure and possible major disruption to traffic flow is expected over the western Highveld of Mpumalanga and the Western Bushveld of Limpopo.

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