Heavy thunderstorms to continue

Steven Tau

The severe thunderstorms and intense lightning experienced in the south of Johannesburg on Friday night can still be expected anytime this week, the South African Weather Services warned yesterday.

Forecaster Jan Vermeulen advised residents to stay indoors, inside their cars and far away from open fields and tall trees.

Looking ahead, Vermeulen said residents in most parts of the country, can expect rainfall for the better part of this week.

“In the northern, north-eastern parts and south-eastern parts of the country, residents can expect a greater chance of 60% showers and thundershowers for most of this week.

“In Gauteng, we are still giving it a 30% chance of showers and thundershowers,” he said.

He said no alerts have been issued as yet.

While most parts will experience rainfall, the bad news for those in the Western Cape is that not much rain is expected.

The Western Cape has been hit hard by the dry conditions.

Several municipalities have also tightened water restrictions to level 3B.

The restrictions come as a result of the severe drought being experienced and the repeated failure to reach the intended water savings target of 800 million litres of water use per day.

Watering/irrigation (with municipal drinking water) of flower beds, lawns, vegetables and other plants, sports fields, parks and other open spaces is allowed only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am or after 6pm for a maximum of one hour per day per property and only by bucket or watering can.