The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for the possibility of disruptive rainfall across Gauteng today (28 January).
Flooding is expected across the Gauteng province.
⚠️Yellow (L4) warning: Disruptive Rain: 28/01/2021 00h00 TO:28/01/2021 19h00 – is expected over the southern parts of Gauteng, central and eastern North West province, eastern parts of the Free State and western parts of KZN tomorrow (Thursday).
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 27, 2021
⚠️Take note of alerts posted: WARNING for disruptive rain leading to flooding expected over Gauteng, parts of North West, eastern Free State, south-western parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga and western KZN tomorrow (Thursday).
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 27, 2021
Gauteng Weather has also alerted Gauteng residents of plenty of storm build-up currently observed in Gauteng.
⚠️ALERT: WARNING for DISRUPTIVE RAINFALL with POTENTIAL FLOODING across Gauteng on Thursday
????FLOOD-PRONE AREAS:
Alex
Bedfordview
Benoni
Centurion
Edenvale
Fourways
Joburg CBD
Kempton
Soweto
N3,M1 & R23 highways
Areas around Jukskei
Areas around Hennops
Areas with litter problem— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) January 28, 2021
⛈ Plenty of storm build up over Gauteng, particularly in the north. WARNING for DISRUPTIVE RAIN with POTENTIAL FLOODING in effect across the province until 8pm!
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) January 28, 2021
With this in mind, South Africans are urged to remain vigilant and adopt a more proactive approach to avoid damage to property, injury and loss of life.
⚠️Please see pinned media release: Disruptive rain expected over the central parts of the country today spreading eastwards tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1ntLJey0CA
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 27, 2021
- Keep an eye out for weather warnings. Only trust verified and credible sources. Do not immediately believe messages circulating on social media as these cause unnecessary panicking.
- If you are caught in a heavy storm, try and find cover. Avoid being in open spaces or near large trees as the chances of getting struck by lightning will increase.
- Visibility will be decreased during heavy rains and this will affect your ability to see other vehicles on the road as well as pedestrians. Increase your following distance and decrease your speed.
- Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and your windscreen wipers are in perfect condition.
- Should you decide to stop your journey, rather stop at a filling station or covered area. Avoid stopping on the side of the road/highway or under bridges.
- Do not attempt to cross the road or surface of flooded areas. Seek an alternative route.
- If you are trapped in your vehicle during a flash flood, rather abandon your vehicle to try and get to higher ground.
- If you get swept away while in the floodwaters, try to grab onto anything you can to pull yourself to safety.
- If flooding occurs at your home, ensure that all your electrical devices are switched off at the main distribution board.
- Have a first aid kit nearby and keep emergency numbers at hand.
