It’s raining, it’s pouring
Better get your umbrellas and raincoats out, our "big rains" have finally arrived.
Lowvelders woke up to the wonderful sound of pouring rain, with many taking to social media to express their delight.
As I’m typing this, it’s been about six hours since it started raining and it’s still pouring. Rivers are flowing along Malalane’s streets and throughout Nkomazi.
Is this finally the start of our rainy season? Several weather websites forecast rain for the next two or so weeks, so make sure to keep your raincoat, umbrella and gumboots on hand.
Although today’s rain doesn’t mean the water restrictions will be lifted, it’s a good start to replenishing the natural water supply and dams.
River levels have to rise to a point where the water is enough to service all consumers in the area, before authorities will consider revising restrictions.
People living in low-lying areas, near dams or rivers, should keep a close eye on the water level to ensure they don’t get caught up in flooding.
Here are a few tips on how to minimise water damage in case of floods:
• Make sure your valuables are stored high up in cupboards.
• Put sandbags in front of doors to keep water from flowing through the house.
• Make sure your gutters are free of debris and the roof is clear of branches.
• Have an emergency bag packed with copies of essential documents and emergency plan to safely evacuate your family.
• Don’t cross low water bridges unless absolutely necessary. Water tends to flow quite strongly and your vehicle can be swept away.
