EMS urges residents to evacuate as quickly as possible during floods
JOBURG – In the wake of heavy downpours resulting in flash floods in several areas of Gauteng last weekend, Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) revealed that certain areas were more at risk.
Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said, “The most vulnerable areas will be the low-lying areas which mostly are the informal settlements throughout the city, with the main focus on Setswetla informal settlement in Alexandra, Diepsloot, Kaya Sands, Kanana in Ivory Park and Kliptown in Soweto, amongst others,” he said
He added that the Jukskei and Klipvalley rivers cut across most of these informal settlements.
Mulaudzi said when an area became flooded, residents needed to evacuate as quickly as possible and move to higher ground, then call emergency services. Those who were trained in community ward-based evacuations have whistles which they could blow to notify their neighbours about evacuating.
He also urged residents to not erect housing structures on the river banks and minimise flooding by not putting debris in the drainage system.
Mulaudzi also advised residents to listen to their local radio stations for any updates on potential floods and to join the community emergency response teams in their areas which were trained in disaster risk reduction.
He urged residents to call EMS, disaster management and all related stakeholders such as Joburg Water and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), depending on the situation.
The JRA numbers to call:
- Region A – Midrand, Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Fourways, Woodmead: 060 960 0764
- Region B – Rosebank, Northcliff, Melville, Auckland Park, Bryanston, Randburg – 060 960 0787
- Region E – Sandton, Alexandra, Houghton Estate: 060 960 0760
- Region F – Inner City, Hillbrow, Braamfontein, Parktown: 060 960 0763
Traffic Signals: 082 827 8250
EMS: 011 375 5911.
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