Benoni keeps head above water
Part of the road and pavement on Voortrekker Street collapsed and washed away during the heavy rains and floods of yesterday (November 10).
On the section where Voortrekker Street crosses the Civic and Kleinfontein lakes, just before entering the CBD, half of the left lane had broken away, with water streaming through under the bridge.
Nearby, the corner of Kemston Avenue and Wilstead Street was under water and had become nearly impassable.
Bunyan Street was turned into a temporary two-way road, as Tom Jones Street, leading into the CBD, was closed off due to severe flooding.
EMPD and traffic officials were on scene to direct traffic accordingly.
According to Leon Jordaan, acting spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), Benoni was affected more lightly than surrounding areas.
“There was sporadic flooding in Benoni, but no loss of life or injuries were recorded due to the water,” Jordaan said.
Clr Haseena Ismail (Ward 29) said “serious floods” occurred in Actonville yesterday.
“A matter of concern is that a project of laying new pipes, for the very purpose of flooding, was done in my ward recently, but to no avail,” Ismail said.
“All that money was wasted as the very same streets are still flooding.
“Also a major concern – our present storm water drains are not cleaned and maintained. This is leading to fragile infrastructure.”
According to Clr Kabelo Mahonko (Ward 24), a house in Crystal Park flooded during the night.
“After I was there, I took a drive around and saw the electricity in several areas was off,” Mahonko said.
“Many potholes in my area expanded overnight.”
Ward 73’s Clr Sinethemba Matiwane said the only major issue in his ward was the flooding of Tom Jones Street.
His ward includes Kingsway, Mackenzie Park, Western Extension, New Modder, Rynsoord and the Benoni CBD.
Furthermore, the South African Weather Service issued a warning of possible heavy rain and hail in certain parts of Gauteng, later on Thursday (November 10).
Also read:
Warning: More severe storms expected today
What to do when caught in a flood or rain
Floods leave Benoni in deep trouble
Cars on highway submerged in heavy rains
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