Massive rain throughout Friday night brings strife across Pretoria
On Friday, the South Africa Weather Service issued a level four warning of heavy rains which would result in the flooding of roads and informal settlements.
Shacks drenched in water, rivers overflowing to residential areas and roads flooded – this was the trail of the Friday and Saturday heavy rains in Tshwane.
The Tshwane Emergency Services (TEMS) had a busy Friday and Saturday with multiple areas of the region reporting flooding incidents.
Spokesperson, Charles Mabaso said large parts of the region were flooded.
“Most areas affected at the moment [Saturday morning] where our teams are on the ground include large parts of the Centurion area around Hennops river,” he said.
“The various low water bridges and the Centurion lake area are experiencing flooding.”
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In Mamelodi, the flood-prone area of Eerste Fabrieke informal settlement was once again affected by floods, leaving shacks covered by water. This area is in the line of various informal settlements such as Riverside, Mavuso and Mamelodi ext 11, which are on the river bank and get affected by floods.
“The Tshwane disaster centre has been activated at level three,” Mabaso said.
A vehicle was covered with water on Lenchen Road in Centurion with only its roof visible, due to flooding.
Photo: Supplied
Motorists had a tricky time driving through flooded roads such as Codonia Avenue in Waverly in the Moot.
This was the same situation in some parts of Montana in the north of Pretoria.
Ward councillor Jarad Frimmel said due to the severe rain, many trees were also uprooted across roads, on sidewalks and in some instances, onto properties.
“Tshwane (EMS) were kept busy responding to numerous reports of trees falling across roads, on sidewalks, and onto properties. In some instances, trees fell across power lines leading to power outages across the city,” Frimmel said.
Areas affected include Brooklyn, Menlo Park, Sunnyside, Groenkloof and more.
On Friday, the South Africa Weather Service issued a level four warning of heavy rains which would result in the flooding of roads and informal settlements. The heavy rains were expected to occur from Friday 04:00 until Saturday 02:00.
Weather predictions for Saturday showed Tshwane could have thunderstorms and rain with minimum temperature at 15°C and maximum at 24°C.
No warning was given of heavy rains on Saturday morning.
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