With further weather warnings of heavy rains and flash flooding in store, the Johannesburg Roads Agency is calling on all road users to exercise care and patience when travelling.
ALERT: More heavy rains expected today
A number of bridges have been reported flooded or collapsed as a result of yesterday’s heavy rain.
Managing director of the agency, Dr Sean Phillips said what transpired on 9 November was an act of God and it was beyond the capacity of their storm water systems.
Click here to read: Traffic across Joburg is mayhem after flash floods
He explained that a road is designed for the likelihood of the severity of a storm statistically occurring once every five years.
The road surface and reserve, including the storm water servitude, is designed to act as a channel if the underground system reaches capacity while major systems (underground drainage) including crossings through residential properties are designed for storms statistically occurring once every 25 years.
“Joburg City rivers have a 1:50-year and 1:100-year flood line where buildings cannot be erected below these flood lines as regulated by the Water Act. Unfortunately, any severe storm or flash flooding that occurs will result in isolated flooding as the road infrastructure is not designed for these severities,” said Phillips.
Also read: Jan Smuts open after JHB Zoo wall collapse
“The roads agency is out assessing the damage to infrastructure, clearing debris, silt and other obstructions to our roads, bridges and storm water drainage systems.”
He stated that the agency has duly inspected recurring blockages in the areas which are termed as flooding hotspots and they are monitoring low-level bridges prone to overtopping during heavy downpours. He emphasised that maintenance to storm water drains is carried out by the agency on a regular basis. Repairs to damaged storm water drains and blocked storm water drains are also prioritised.
READ: Flash flood traps more than one hundred vehicles on N3 Linksfield
Work is underway to identify damaged infrastructure, which includes:
- Witkoppen Road damages
- R55in Kyalami bridge collapse
- Linksfield Road, off-ramp and on-ramp to N3
- Corner Lousie Botha and Houghton Drive near Sasol, collapsed wall
- Siyabusa (Rabie Ridge), flooding due to insufficient storm water system capacity
- All low-lying bridges between Kyalami and Dainfern flooded
- Joburg Zoo wall collapsed next to Jan Smuts
- M1 South runoff from the Houghton side to M1 South near the AGSA office, debris and rocks on the road
- Alexandra John Nhlanhla bridge washed away
- Buccleuch Bridge also washed away.
Click here to read: BREAKING: Rain wreaks havoc in Fourways (WATCH)
Mayoral Member Committee for Transport, Nonhlanhla Makhuba said the agency has also developed a Soweto storm water master plan which has been completed. The Soweto storm water master plan highlighted areas where storm water drains need to be implemented at a cost of R4 billion, she said.
She also mentioned that the agency is developing an inner city storm water master plan.
Motorists are urged to obey road signs, traffic signals and especially road closures due to flooded bridges or unsafe driving conditions. In the event of a flash flood, or where residents are at risk, it is advisable to immediately evacuate the area and seek a place of safety.
ALSO READ: Alex flooded, people left destitute
Residents and road users are encouraged to report all road and storm-related emergencies to 0860 562 874; hotline@jra.org.za; twitter @MyJra; JRA Find&Fix mobile app.
