The heavy toll of downpours – ‘but the sun will shine again’
The heavy downpours over the weekend has left various roads closed around Centurion and formed yet another sinkhole.
Charles Mabaso, Tshwane emergency services department spokesperson, said the disruptive rain experienced the past few days has led to multiple incidents of flooding reported to the call centre.
“The rain has led to the closure of some low-lying bridges, damages reported on some routes and households requiring water to be channelled away from homes,” he said.
Mabaso said affected roads to avoid until further notice included Nelmapius and Luton Street – the river is overflowing onto the road – Stoffel Park Bridge (Mamelodi), End and Rabie Street (Centurion), Olievenhoutbosch between Ext 19 and 60, Lenchen Street near the Centurion Lake Hotel, South and West Street (Centurion), Blackwood Road (Centurion), Lyttleton Road (Club View, Centurion), Rebecca and Vom Hagen Street (Pretoria West) and the M32 Nelmapius Road near Irene Farm.
Mabaso said Wierda Road, near the N14, was also closed due to the formation of a possible sinkhole.
“One vehicle attempted to cross a flooded road and got stuck near Supersport Cricket Stadium, Centurion. The occupants managed to escape unharmed.
“Households in Mooiplas informal settlement, Mamelodi East Ext 18, Lotus Garden, Nelmapius Ext 24 and Soshanguve Ext 13 reported water entering houses,” Mabaso said.
Joburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said no major incidents have been reported, but they were still on high alert.
More than 300 families at the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto were affected by the floods late on Friday afternoon.
SA Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Dipuo Tawana said the sun will shine again.
Dipuo said the week will kick off with fog patches in the morning and develop into cloudy conditions with afternoon showers expected going into the evening.
“We are not expecting any rain from Tuesday until Saturday, only for KwaZulu-Natal. There is a possibility of rain on Saturday in Gauteng, but until then nothing much is expected,” she said.
Dipuo said Mpumalanga had an 80% alert disruptive rainfall forecast that could cause damage to infrastructure.
“The level 6 disruptive rainfall was still in place due to the amount of rainfall already received over the weekend, with more to come,” she said.
Dipuo said the North West was also still on high alert due to possible damage caused to infrastructure, the difficulties of driving on muddy roads and the inaccessibility of low bridges.
Bennie van Zyl, Transvaal Landbou-Unie SA general manager, said he hasn’t received any reports from farmers of damages caused by the rain yet.
“The Gariep dam is full and every other river, dam or lake we passed is full of water.
“It rained properly and the Free state is wet,” he said. “Overall, it’s much greener and by next week it will be green as far as the Karoo. We are grateful for all the rain,” he said.
Free State cattle farmer Tewie Wessels said there had been enough rain for now. He said they were grateful for the rain but it caused some flooding in his area. “It didn’t rain, it poured. I almost want to say it’s too wet now,” he said.