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The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a warning over severe weather conditions – including thunderstorms, rainfall and flooding – across large parts of the country.
While some communities in Gauteng woke up to power outages on Friday morning, emergency personnel are dealing with flooded roads and fallen trees.
On Thursday, thunderstorms were observed over the central interior of the country, which resulted in heavy downpours, damaging winds, and even hail in some regions.
The weather service’s Kgoloselo Mahlangu said these conditions could persist into the weekend, and motorists have been urged to be careful on the roads.
In Tshwane, the city’s emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso called on motorists to avoid crossing roads “where there’s water if one is not sure how deep it goes”.
WATCH: How to drive safely on wet roads
The weather service said on Friday these conditions would worsen throughout the course of the day. Additional alerts will be issued when necessary.
As of Friday morning, a yellow level 2 warning was issued for “severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging winds over the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape”.
This alert also extends to the western half of the Free State and the North West provinces.
If you do find yourself on a flooded road, Arrive Alive says it is important to “keep calm and think swiftly.” Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road or bridge.
Turn back and try a higher route and don’t stay in the flooded area.
If your vehicle is surrounded by water, get out and seek higher ground instead. Lastly, if you are stranded in a building, don’t leave it to enter the floodwater.
Instead, raise alarm and wait for rescuers.
South Africans also shared photos and videos on social media. From Bloemfontein to Fickburg to Port Elizabeth to East London, take a look:
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