/ 11 March 2014

Floods wash away Mabopane bridge

Floods Wash Away Mabopane Bridge

A low-water bridge was washed away by flood water in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, Tshwane emergency services said on Tuesday.

A taxi carrying 13 passengers tried to cross the bridge on Monday, spokesperson Johan Pieterse said. "None of the passengers were injured and the taxi was recovered," he said.

The South African Weather Service said on Tuesday the possibility of localised flooding in the eastern parts of the country remained owing to high saturation caused by rainfall. These included Gauteng, the Free State and North West, said forecaster Elizabeth Webster. An 80% chance of showers was expected in these regions on Tuesday.

Rainfall patterns on Wednesday would shift to the northeastern parts of the country, including Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

"This would also bring an 80% chance of rain to the region," said Webster.

Clearing expected
The rainy weather conditions were expected to clear up in the northeastern regions by Friday. No new flood-related incidents were reported in Johannesburg overnight, Johannesburg emergency services said on Tuesday.

"We will continue to monitor the area," said spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.

It is common practice to mobilise South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officials for assistance in rainy weather conditions, SANDF spokesperson Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said. "[But] there has been no request from any department for such assistance as yet." – Sapa