Joburg warned of flash floods

2009-02-10 18:37

Johannesburg - Johannesburg residents and motorists should be aware of possible flash flooding and poor visibility due to heavy rains on Tuesday evening, Johannesburg emergency services said.

Spokesperson Percy Morokwane said the SA Weather Services warned that the city would receive heavy rains on Tuesday evening due to slow-moving storms over the northern and western suburbs of Johannesburg.

"This is a recipe for flash flooding. We are advising motorists to reduce their speed limit and to take alternative routes if they find that roads, highways or bridges on which they are travelling are flooded," he said.

Emergency service personnel were monitoring areas prone to flash flooding and had already spotted some hazards.

These areas include Witkoppen Road, the Buccleuch Interchange, along the Jukskei River in Alex and the bridge between Molofo central and Dube, called Mohalefe Drive. Emergency services were getting some reports from Soweto of potential flash.

The areas which could be affected as the rains set in on Tuesday evening include Midrand, Sandton, Rosebank, Woodmead, Roodeport, Kaya Sands and Diepsloot.

Morokane also appealed to residents to call emergency services on 10177 should they notice an area where there may be potential flash floods.

- SAPA