Dineo brings welcome rain to Tzaneen, wind blows down trees
A tree, estimated to be 150 years old, in Tzaneen's Circle Drive fell into the road in the early hours of Friday morning.
Tropical depression ex-Dineo, which was downgraded from Cyclone Dineo, having lost momentum, brought rain and wind to the Tzaneen area in Limpopo, and heavy rain has been predicted, reports the Letaba Herald.
Several trees were blown over in and around the Tzaneen area on Thursday night, and in the early hours of Friday morning, some trees were uprooted.
In Magoebaskloof, near the Warriors turnoff, both lanes were blocked by a fallen tree on Friday morning while on the R36 towards Letsitele, just outside Tzaneen, a large branch broke off and fell on the road, disrupting traffic on a full lane.
In Circle Drive, municipal workers blocked off the road to remove a tree that fell at about 1am on Friday morning. Retired dentrologist Mike Amm estimated the tree’s age to be about 150 years old.
The wind speed in Magoebaskloof peaked at 29km/h on Friday morning and 71mm of rain was measured.
Rain was also measured in the various areas as follows:
- Trichardsdal – 8mm
- Duiwelskloof – 40mm
- Agatha – 30mm.
- Politsi – 30mm
- Doornhoek – 30mm
- California – 8mm
- Houtbosdorp – 90mm
- Ofcolaco – 18mm
- Letsitele – 10mm.
The SA Weather Service said despite the downgrade of the cyclone to a tropical depression, residents in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga could still expect flooding and heavy rains.
“Ex-Dineo has remained mostly over the Mozambique’s Banhine National Park and the South African provinces at risk are Limpopo and Mpumalanga,” chief forecaster Kevin Rae said.
The Lowvelder further reported that with widespread rainfall in Mpumalanga, the City of Mbombela Municipality was on high alert following reports of imminent effects of the tropical depression and a contingency plan was put in place to respond to situations of flooding and disaster that might arise.
Communities were urged to be on the lookout for dangerous situations and to stay clear from them.
Medium rain is expected on Friday in Tzaneen, according to WeatherSA. Picture: Letaba Herald
– Caxton News Service
For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.
