Chaos at OR Tambo as heavy thunderstorms flood Domestic Terminal B
Two people risked their lives by wading in waist-deep water outside the O.R.Tambo International Airport. This was an access ramp to a parking area.
Image: Facebook / We Are South Africans
This past weekend, OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa’s busiest airport, experienced a drama as heavy thunderstorms unleashed a deluge, partially flooding its Domestic Terminal B.
Travellers witnessed the intensity of the weather as cascading water invaded the terminals, resulting in chaos and delays.
Videos circulating on social media from concerned passengers showed alarming scenes of the departure check-in area submerged, with a significant volume of water flowing across the terminal floor.
A specialist contractor was assessing the roof structure of the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni after flash floods overwhelmed the drainage systems on Friday.
Airport operations remain unaffected, and no flight delays were reported. Concerns grew about the damage to the airport after a video circulated widely of two people wading in chest-high water outside the airport's vehicle entrances.
Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) spokesperson, Ofentse Dijoe, explained that the airport vicinity experienced a localised cloudburst on Friday, resulting in intense rainfall and flash flooding.
This led to temporary waterlogging on the airport access road (off the R24), leading to the multi-storey parkade.
“Due to the severity of the downpour, access to the terminal was briefly restricted, but it did not impact any airport operations.”
Dijoe added that the airport and the surrounding area of Kempton Park experienced an extraordinary downpour on Friday, which temporarily overwhelmed the airport’s roof drainage system.
“This resulted in water ingress within certain areas of the terminal building. Despite the weather, airport operations remain unaffected. All passengers were processed as scheduled, and no flights were delayed,” Dijoe stated.
Motorists look on as two people walk through waist-deep water outside the O.R.Tambo International Airport parking area access ramps.
Image: Facebook / We Are South Africans
Drama unfolded at the weekend when OR Tambo International Airport’s Domestic Terminal B was partly flooded due to heavy thunderstorms.
Videos received from travellers showed sections of the departures check-in area under water, with a significant volume of water moving across the terminal floor.
A specialist contractor was assessing the roof structure. They were expected provide airport management with a comprehensive report outlining the extent of the damage and a repair timeline by Sunday, February 1, 2026.
“Airport operations remain normal, and there have been no flight delays because of the weather conditions. Passenger movement is smooth, and operational teams remain on standby to continue monitoring weather conditions,” Dijoe added.
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has issued a level 2 warning of torrential rainfall and severe thunderstorms over Johannesburg and Kempton Park on Saturday.
The impact could result in localised damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), property, vehicles, livelihood, and livestock, and localised and short-term disruption to municipal and other essential services.
Additional Reporting: The Star Reporter