Havoc halts search for child, rescuer in canal
THE search for a child who fell into a canal in Belgravia Estate, Athlone, and the man who tried to rescue her had to be called off this afternoon due to the poor weather conditions.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident in which a child had fallen into the canal near 8th Avenue, Belgravia Estate.
Fire crews from Ottery and Epping fire stations and divers from Roeland Street fire station were dispatched to the scene. When they arrived, residents told the officer in charge that a man had jumped into the canal as well.
This happened as strong winds and heavy rains cause roofs to collapse and street were flooded were witnessed as the first cold front hit the province. causing heavy rains and strong winds throughout the province yesterday.
The SA Weather Service predicted disruptive snowfalls over high-ground of the Cape Winelands and more heavy rains over the Cape metropole, Cape Winelands, Overberg and escarpment of the West Coast district today and tomorrow morning.
A truck driver was seriously injured and two passengers slightly injured after their truck was blown over by strong north-westerly winds on the
N2, near Somerset West.
The City warned of possible power outages and delays in service requests.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell urged the public to heed the early warnings and limit the amount of time spent outdoors over the next few days.
“It is going to get cold and very wet. We have also been alerted to the fact that the national electricity grid is under extreme pressure with load shedding a possibility. Do what you can to reduce electricity consumption.
“Consider livestock and small animals that may be exposed to the elements and try to limit the amount of travel over the next few days,” Bredel said.
Residents were reminded to call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre for weather-related emergencies on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
“Do what you can to reduce electricity consumption
Anton Bredell MEC