Johannesburg has been placed on high alert as relentless thunderstorms continue to batter the city, prompting officials to activate emergency protocols and urge motorists to take extreme caution.
Heavy downpours have already brought down trees, flooded low-lying bridges and left several major routes difficult to access, with images from the Johannesburg CBD on Sunday showing fallen trees blocking roads after hours of persistent rain.
According to the City of Johannesburg, early water-level assessments conducted between 07:00 and 14:00 on Sunday showed rivers and streams nearing full capacity, raising fears that banks may burst and flood nearby streets and residential areas.
The city said no major incidents had been reported across any region at the time of writing.
Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson Obed Mulaudzi said disaster teams will remain on high alert.
“We’ve got our specialised team which responds to water-related emergencies, and they have been on standby since the weekend. We urge residents facing any life-threatening situation to call our Command-and-Control Centre on 011 375 5911,” he said.
Mulaudzi also cautioned motorists to drive with headlights on, reduce speed, and avoid flooded routes, as submerged bridges and fallen debris have already created hazardous driving conditions.
Residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas are being warned to closely monitor rising water levels and evacuate to higher ground if necessary. Parents are urged to keep children away from ditches, trenches and open manholes, which can fill rapidly and become deadly. Authorities also advise the public to stay well clear of power lines and unstable structures that may collapse due to waterlogging.
The DMC says the continued storms are expected to bring localised flooding, dangerously slick roads, hidden water-filled potholes, fallen trees blocking routes, and short-term disruptions to essential city services.
As severe weather continues to sweep across Gauteng, residents are urged to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and report emergencies immediately.
The Star