WATCH: Military helicopter rescues Lochvaal family from flood

Residents around the Rietspruit in Lochvaal have been urged to head to higher ground as more severe flooding is expected.

A family from Rietspruit in Lochvaal had to be rescued by helicopter on Saturday 16 January 2021 after flooding in the area. Picture: Shane Pretorius

There was pandemonium in the Lochvaal area on Saturday morning as family of four was left trapped in their house with their pets.

The Kroonvaal dam wall reportedly burst following heavy rains on Friday evening, leading to flooding along the Rietspruit, the Vaalweekblad reports.

Resque operation at #LochVaal ⁦@SaveTheVaal⁩ #Flooding pic.twitter.com/rB2pUlIC9l

— elise tempelhoff (@elisetempelhoff) January 16, 2021

While emergency services were on the scene, the elderly members of the family could not make it through the strong water.

At the same time, jet skis and boats could not reach the scene due to obstacles below the water level.

While nine dogs were rescued, the family had to sit tight and wait for the arrival of a military helicopter.

The helicopter arrived at around 11:30 and the family was successfully rescued.

: A family from Rietspruit in Lochvaal had to be rescued by helicopter on Saturday 16 January 2021 after flooding in the area. Picture: Shane Pretorius

: A family from Rietspruit in Lochvaal had to be rescued by helicopter on Saturday 16 January 2021 after flooding in the area. Picture: Shane Pretorius

: A family from Rietspruit in Lochvaal had to be rescued by helicopter on Saturday 16 January 2021 after flooding in the area. Picture: Shane Pretorius

Meanwhile, the SA Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for a large part of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

This stretches from Volksrust and Newcastle to Richard’s Bay and Ponta do Ouro.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for large parts of KwaZulu-Natal for Saturday, 16 January 2021. Picture: SA Weather Service

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