The Tshwane metropolitan council has activated its disaster operations centre as several parts of Pretoria experienced flooding due to heavy rains in the city.
”The centre operates 24 hours a day and includes emergency services and other personnel who will monitor the situation and ensure coordinated efforts,” council spokesperson Console Tleane said on Wednesday.
About 160 households from the Lusaka section in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, had to be given temporary shelter as their homes were flooded.
A local church and community hall in the nearby Stanza Bopape section were used as temporary shelters.
”Many community members opted, however, to move back to their houses in spite of the water and rain still pouring down,” Tleane said.
The Lusaka section is in a flood plain but residents have in the past refused to move, insisting that the city should provide them with houses before they move.
Emergency services had to help some residents of the Stinkwater informal settlement — as well as in Hannanskraal — to move to friends and families’ houses as their own homes were flooded.
The areas of Plastic View, close to Rosslyn, north-east of Pretoria, and Soshanguve were also affected by the continuous rainfall.
”We had to help a few people move but thus far there were no reports of serious injuries or death due to the flooding,” emergency services spokesperson Johan Pieterse said.
He warned motorists not to use low water bridges and underpasses that were flooded.
”Don’t take a chance, rather use alternative routes,” Pieterse said.
The city has asked for donations of blankets, food and other materials.
People who wish to make donations can contact Sarah Modise at 012 358 4828.
The emergency call centre can be contacted at 012 310 6300 or 012 310 6400 or 10177. — Sapa