Informal settlements in Alexandra have been put on evacuation alert due to possible flooding along the Jukskei River, said Johannesburg emergency services on Friday.
”The water levels are rising rapidly … We have an evacuation plan in low-lying areas if the need arises,” said spokesperson Percy Morokane.
He said emergency personnel were in touch with residents in Alexandra about the possibility of them moving voluntarily.
Residents were being told: ”For now we are foreseeing danger. Would you be inclined to move to relatives that are more inland?”
Morokane said the situation was made difficult by the fact that people living there were part of an illegal informal settlement.
”If the situation gets out of control we would have to put them in a transit area in Alexandra.”
Morokane said other areas in danger of flooding were Diepsloot and Klipspruit Valley.
Emergency services were receiving early warnings from the South African Weather Service throughout the day.
On Thursday, a father and his eight-year-old daughter were rescued when their Land Rover was swept away by strong currents while travelling on a low-lying bridge crossing the Jukskei River in Nooitgedacht.
Although the rain was not heavy, it was causing poor visibility on the roads. Emergency services were on alert for possible multi-vehicle collisions in areas where traffic lights were out and the roads were wet.
Lights were out at Ontdekkers and Hendrik Potgieter roads, as well as the Gordon Avenue on and off-ramps just before Ontdekkers.
Johannesburg metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said: ”We urge motorists to drive with caution, reduce their travelling speed, drive with a safe following distance and their headlights on.”
While exact numbers of accidents on Thursday was not yet available: ”In the Johannesburg area there were more than average because of vehicles skidding at intersections”.
On Wednesday metro police responded to 98 weather-related accidents in Johannesburg. All were minor with no deaths reported.
Minnaar advised motorists to be especially careful on Witkoppen Road in Fourways and Rivonia Road in Sunninghill where rain was not draining away quickly enough.
Netcare 911 paramedics said between Wednesday and Thursday morning they had attended to 51 accidents in Gauteng.
Spokesperson Nick Dollman said during this time emergency vehicles had been sent to 36 motor vehicle accidents and five pedestrian collisions in Johannesburg; as well as nine car accidents and one pedestrian collision in Pretoria.
”Although moderate, these are not exceptionally high figures and we hope that all motorists are doing their bit to ensure that they travel responsibly.”
Dollman said children should not be allowed to play under bridges or in or near storm water drains in case of flood flashing.
He also said motorists should approach bridges and low-lying crossings with caution, as many might be under water and unsafe to cross. — Sapa