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By Faizel Patel

Senior Journalist


Flooding and collapsed roads: Areas to avoid

Severe road infrastructural damage has been reported across the City of Johannesburg, with the Roodepoort and Soweto area severely impacted.


The City of Johannesburg said severe road infrastructural damage including flooding has been reported across the City, with the Roodepoort and Soweto area severely impacted by extreme weather conditions.

Trees were uprooted and roads were flooded overnight on Thursday, across many suburbs in Johannesburg.

Emergency Services

Teams have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts, Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said.

“Two EMS teams have been deployed in two areas around Joburg, one in Kliptown and the other in Florida Lake,” said Khumalo. 

Precautions

The City of Johannesburg has called on residents to take precaution and avoid flooded areas.

“Please assist in avoiding these areas for your own safety until flooding water subsides, and do not attempt to cross over bridges and areas that have been barricaded,” the City said.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Severe downpours devastate parts of Johannesburg

The City of Johannesburg has provided a list of the areas that were devastated by the severe rain and thunderstorms.

Areas affected:

Roodepoort

  • Kilburn Street and bridge is flooded and the road is collapsing on both sides (close to Pick ‘n Pay)
  • Wilgerood Road – a section has been washed away
  • Schlapo Street, Groblerpark
  • Albertina Sisulu Road (Princess informal)
  • Robert Broom
  • Westlake Road at Westlake Dam
  • Hendrik Potgieter Road
  • Doornkop and Snake Park, Block 8 bridge
  • Van De Linde Street
  • Hercules Close, Helderkruin
  • Florida Lake/Park flooding
  • Main Reef Road
  • Robert Road

Lenasia

  • Peacock Street
  • Lehae Library Road

Inner City

  • 173 Rifle range road, Robertsham
  • Jeppe & Troye street

Soweto

  • Low lying bridge/culvert collapse Ndaba & Mantashe street, Mapetla
  • Naledi bridge between Tladi and Mphatlalatsane street
  • Protea Police station flooding towards Protea Gardens

Weather

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned of more rain in Gauteng until at least Sunday, while Joburg Emergency Services embark on rescue efforts across the City.

“Cloudy at times and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers but scattered in the south,” it said.

City Power

City Power has also got its hands full with the devastating weather.

Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the utility is in disaster mode.

“We have not recovered since the storms earlier this week and the rain has been persisting as we have been trying to address the backlogs,” Mangena said.

ALSO READ: Jukskei River drownings: Search continues for missing three-month-old baby

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