Some roads have been flooded in Centurion, Gauteng. Photo: Twitter/@tWeatherSA
Gauteng residents have been urged to be cautious as heavy rain continues to hit the province.
This comes as Gauteng experienced drenching rain and localised flooding the whole week.
On Friday, the SA Weather Service (Saws) issued a warning for disruptive rainfall.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the Nancefield men’s hostel in Soweto was flooded on Saturday, affecting about 300 people.
“The Department of Infrastructure is dealing with that, to try and organise a temporary shelter,” he told eNCA.
Mulaudzi added that EMS services have had to attend to a number of car accidents on the road since the beginning of the weekend.
“Although there have been no fatalities, we are still encouraging motorists to be cautious on the roads, keep a safe following distance and try to avoid roads and bridges that might be flooded.”
He added that speeding might the reason behind most of the accidents so far.
Mulaudzi said Johannesburg’s informal settlements are most at risk of severe storms, due to the fact they are mostly in low-lying areas and located alongside rivers.
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The Citizen’s sister publication Pretoria Rekord reported on Sunday that many roads and bridges in Centurion have been flooded.
Tshwane’s officials are particularly concerned about Wierda Road, over the N14 highway, where the road is sagging due to a developing sinkhole.
Ward councillor Ina Strijdom told Pretoria Rekord that police, the Tshwane metro and members of community policing forums were at the scene.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport was on its way to the site.
Motorists were advised to make use of alternative roads.
Gauteng Cogta MEC Mzi Khumalo told eNCA they are monitoring the weather situation, with the province’s disaster management centres.
He said the department is working with municipalities and NGOs to help those affected by the adverse weather.
Khumalo warned residents that above-normal rainfall is expected in Gauteng until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the police have issued advice for residents should they be affected by floods:
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