Photo: Cheryl Kahla
Several areas in and around the city of Johannesburg have been devastated by the severe weather following the heavy downpours.
Residents took to social media to share the devastation caused by strong winds and heavy rain that battered the city.
Trees were uprooted and roads were flooded overnight on Thursday across many suburbs in Johannesburg.
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. In Florida Lake the team has managed to recue a patient that was stuck in a tree. He was rushed to hospital for treatment of hypothermia.”
“The team has also received news of a wall that has collapsed in Naledi, Soweto. They rescued an 88-year-old woman where the wall had fallen. The woman has been taken to hospital for treatment. It is alleged that she might have swollen dirty water…other occupants in the house are alright,” Khumalo said
Khumalo has urged communities around Johannesburg to be cautious during the heavy downpours.
“We are requesting the community to be very cautious when driving around Joburg. There are a few roads that have been closed in Soweto, Roodepoort and Florida.”
It has also emerged that lightning has hit the newly refurbished Naledi railways line.
The Naledi to Johannesburg corridor has had to temporally close due to flooding and a suspected lighting strike, Metrorail in Gauteng said.
“Electricity must be switched off on both lines for the team to fix thel ines. Commuters are advised to seek alternative transport until further notice.”
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was supposed to officially open the new line on Friday morning.
However, the launch had to be postponed due to the damage to the line, the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa) said.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) forecasted another day of showers for Gauteng.
“Cloudy at times and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers but scattered in the south.”
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