Residents in the Patsing informal settlement south of Johannesburg live in fear of flooding amid persistent heavy rains.
Several parts of the country have been experiencing heavy rains for the past few days with no end in sight.
heavy rain in SA
The current rainfall is the result of a low pressure system [1] which moved to the central part of the country before becoming quasi-stationary.
A level 5 warning was issued for Gauteng on Saturday morning.
A similar weather warning has also been issued for KwaZulu Natal (KZN).
The incessant rainfall has worried many residents of the Patsing informal settlement as some are trying their best to prevent flooding.
Informal settlements at risk
Talk to The Warga there, one of the residents in Patsing, Walter Ndlovu, described the situation as worrying.
“All these informal settlements were flooded and some shacks were also flooded.
“It has been raining heavily for a few days and the fact that we don’t know when it will stop is what worries us,” said Ndlovu.
Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said most roads in the city were slippery and flooded.
“We urge motorists to use their headlights and keep a safe distance, and also avoid crossing flooded roads or bridges.
“We also invite residents in low-lying areas, especially in informal settlements, not to cross the river and also to monitor small children to stay away from the river and the drainage system to prevent drowning,” requested Mulaudzi.
Emergency services on standby
Emergency service personnel are continuing to monitor the situation with special swift water rescue units on alert.
Mulaudzi’s colleague from Tshwane, Charles Mabaso said the Stoffelparp bridge in Mamelodi was reported to be flooded on Monday morning where minibus taxis were stuck with no injuries or casualties.
“A house was also reported flooded in Temba, Hammanskraal but after investigation, it was found that only the yard was flooded.
“We are monitoring all known hotspots and remain vigilant as disruptive rain is predicted by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), Mabaso said.
Above the rainfall this summer
Meanwhile, SAWS warned of above-normal rainfall for the entire summer, due to La Niña [2] weather system, which is associated with a large amount of rain.
NOW LISTEN: Expect rain in 2023, with above-normal rainfall expected until fall
Source:
[1] Weather SA media release, 6 February 2023
[2] What are El Niño and La Niña?National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,