Joburg EMS on high alert as stormy weather hits Gauteng

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) has urged motorists to take extra precautions following the heavy downpours and adverse weather conditions.

Several areas across the city experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday with the wet weather conditions expected to continue on Friday.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) said Gauteng would be partly cloudy and warm with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers with an expected high UVB sunburn index.

Emergency services on high alert

The wet weather conditions are likely to affect several areas.

Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they will be on high alert.

“It is raining in most parts of the City of Johannesburg, most roads are wet and slippery. We encourage our motorists to exercise caution, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid flooded roads.”

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“From our side as the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, we will remain on high alert throughout the weekend to make sure that we can be able to respond to any emergencies which might occur throughout all seven regions of the City of Johannesburg,” Mulaudzi said.

Informal settlements

Mulaudzi has also warned residents in low-lying areas and informal settlements to take precautions.

“We urge our residents in low-lying areas, especially our informal settlements, to monitor the water levels and avoid crossing rivers or streams.”

Load shedding

Meanwhile, the cold rainy conditions are likely to put more pressure on the electricity grid.

Earlier this week, ailing power utility Eskom said that stage 6 load shedding would be extended over the evening peak for the rest of the week, with plans to ease outages towards the weekend.

Eskom said stage 6 load shedding would be implemented daily between 4pm and 5am until Friday.

Various stages will be implemented during the day.

“Breakdowns remain persistently high and are currently at 18,972MW of generating capacity. The generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3,222MW,” Eskom said.

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