Warnings of more heavy rains, flooding
THE SA Weather Service has issued a warning of further heavy rains in Gauteng.
Drivers have been urged to avoid flooded bridges and roads.
Forecaster Vanetia Phakula said there was a 60% chance of thundershowers today but conditions might ease up in the afternoon.
There would be more rain tomorrow on and off until late in the day.
Phakula said temperatures would be quite low.
“We predict that there might be pools of water on the road. Concerning areas are informal settlements,” she said, and urged motorists to take extreme caution when driving in rainy, wet conditions.
Yesterday, residents of Extension 21 in Mamelodi East said the heavy rains had resulted in much inconvenience for them.
Emily Segapu said her shack was flooded, and she had not slept at all on Wednesday night. “Me and my children stayed up all night using buckets to get the water out of the shack.
“In almost every corner we have placed a tin to collect the water and pour it outside.”
She added that the water came up to their ankles and they had had to throw away much of their furniture because it was ruined.
Every year, Segapu expects rain at this time of the year and she said there was nothing she could do.
Neighbours also said their shacks were flooded and they had spent all morning trying to salvage the situation. Lina Matshika pleaded with the government to provide better housing for them. She said the rain was a source of stress.
“If it continues like this for a long time we will suffer. At the same time, there is not much we can do,” she said.