There were also three other fatalities in the metro.
A woman was killed when a truck plunged into stationery vehicles on Linksfield interchange – the same area where the body of a man was found by emergency services when rescuing trapped motorists.
The fourth individual was struck by lightning at Sethokga Hostel in Tembisa.
“The metro is on high alert following yesterday’s disastrous floods which claimed four lives,” said Zweli Dlamini, metro spokesperson.
The thunderstorms which started at around 3pm, lasted for about three hours; leaving a trail of disaster in various parts of Ekurhuleni.
“This is a very sad situation. It’s extremely sad that so many lives were lost as a result of the heavy rain. Our sincere condolences go to their families,” said Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina. He added that it was also regrettable so many people lost their belongings due to these storms.
Dlamini said the rain started in the southern parts of the City, before moving towards the north.
“Our call centre started receiving frantic calls from members of the public – and we immediately dispatched district managers to monitor the situation.
“At about 6pm, we received a high rate of distress calls with members of the public reporting incidents of flooding and possible drownings.
“We then sent out teams to hotspot areas for rescue missions. Among the areas that were mainly affected were: Linksfield, Edenvale, Tembisa, Benoni, Wattville and Boksburg.
“We also provided emergency relief to 105 people who were displaced, when their informal structures were flooded in the Makause area.
“They refused temporary accommodation however, in fear of losing their belongings which remained trapped in their structures.”
Dlamini explained railway tracks were also washed away at Ravensklip in Boksburg.
The metro in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Government, have set up a joint operation centre in Bedforview and emergency services teams remain on high alert.
Meanwhile, mopping up of flooded areas continues.
