Gauteng Reels After Torrential Storms Cause Havoc
Johannesburg – Gauteng is grappling with the aftermath of a Level 9 storm that unleashed torrential rain across the province over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The extreme weather event resulted in widespread flooding, uprooted trees, and power outages, prompting emergency services to issue urgent safety warnings to residents.
By Sunday morning, the province had already been drenched with over 200mm of rainfall in a mere 24 hours. The South African Weather Service (Saws) initially issued a Level 9 alert, which was later downgraded to a Level 6 warning for severe thunderstorms in northern Gauteng and western Limpopo. A Level 4 warning remained in effect for northeastern regions, including eastern Limpopo and Mpumalanga, indicating the continued possibility of disruptive rain and flooding.
In response to the escalating situation, authorities made the decision to release water from the Vaal and Bloemhof dams to mitigate the risk of overflow. Residents residing along riverbanks were urged to exercise extreme caution as water levels continued to rise, posing a significant threat to their safety and property.
The Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) has been inundated with calls for assistance, with reports of several accidents in Ekurhuleni. Motorists have been advised to exercise caution due to fallen trees and debris obstructing roads, while some low-lying bridges remain submerged, rendering them impassable.
EMS spokesperson Obed Mulaudzi confirmed that disaster teams are on high alert and ready to respond to emergencies. "We've got our specialised team which responds to water-related emergencies. They have been on standby since the weekend up until now. So, from our side, we may be able to respond to any emergency," Mulaudzi stated. He urged residents facing life-threatening situations to contact the Command and Control Centre on 011 375 5911.
Ekurhuleni disaster management spokesperson Eric Maloka echoed the call for caution, particularly for road users. "We're pleading with road users not to cross flooded areas because they can cause fatalities," he emphasised.
The impact of the storms has been particularly severe in informal settlements, where residents are already vulnerable to the elements. The deluge has exacerbated existing challenges, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures.
In Soweto, residents recounted their experiences of the devastating floods. Simphiwe Nyembe, a 20-year-old resident, described the scene he encountered upon returning to his shack: "When I got to my shack, everything was floating — my blankets, my clothes, everything. The only food I had was mielie meal, and it was spoiled. I had to throw it out. I can’t even put my blankets or clothes out to dry because the rain is clearly coming back."
Another Soweto resident, 60-year-old Thomson Nxumalo, explained his efforts to protect his home from the rising waters: "I also put cement around my house, and it stopped the water from coming inside this time. But as you can see, we still can’t even go out. This happens every time it rains."
The situation in Lenasia, south of Soweto, is equally dire. Resident Mandla Maphumulo reported that heavy rain routinely causes a sewerage pipe to overflow into the main road. "There’s nothing we haven’t tried. My biggest problem is there’s no chance it’ll be fixed today or tomorrow because the rain is continuing. It means we’ll have to live with the filth for a few more days before anyone can repair it," he lamented.
Kgabo Raphala, a member of the Alexandra Water Warriors, a community-based organisation, highlighted the importance of early warning systems in mitigating the impact of floods. The organisation has developed a WhatsApp-based system to alert residents of impending floods along the Jukskei River.
“As community leaders, we always check what’s happening with the Jukskei, so that we can update all the families who are living along the river. So, when we see, no, now it’s rough, then obviously we tell them to go to the community centre and to leave everything to make sure they are safe,” Raphala explained. He also criticised the government for failing to deliver on promises to provide the community with adequate flood protection measures.
Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi highlighted the particular risks faced by residents of informal settlements. "If you look at informal residents there's a risk for them to be swept away if they cross flooded areas," he warned.
The recent storms have served as a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events. The floods came in the wake of an Amnesty International report that exposed deepening flood risks in South Africa's informal settlements, adding urgency to calls for government action. As mop-up operations begin, the focus is now on providing assistance to those affected and implementing long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of future disasters.
Follow Us on Twitter
