/ 4 February 2009

Heavy rains batter Gauteng, Limpopo

Shacks were flooded and some roads and border posts in Gauteng and Limpopo were closed on Wednesday due to heavy rain.

However, the South African Weather Service said the worst was over as dry and warm conditions were expected for the provinces from Thursday onwards.

”Although the Limpopo River is at its highest level since 2000, no livestock or animals are in danger, said Marie Helm, Limpopo manager for agricultural union Tau SA.

However, she said, farmers were being affected by flooded roads inland in rural areas.

”If farmers want to deliver fresh produce or go to town [they can’t] … The infrastructure is a problem.”

Also in Limpopo, the Zanzibar, Platjan and Pondrift border posts were temporarily closed due to the Limpopo River overflowing.

The Department of Home Affairs said travellers on their way to Botswana were advised to use the Groblersbrug and Stockpoort border posts.

Limpopo police spokesperson Ronel Otto said police had not had to respond to any incidents related to flooding.

While some of the smaller border posts might have been closed because they were located on low-lying bridges, the larger ones including Beit Bridge would remain open throughout, she said.

In Gauteng on Wednesday some Alexandra residents vowed to stay in their homes on the banks of the Jukskei River, despite flooding in the area.

On Tuesday about 100 shacks were flooded, with no reports of injuries or death.

While a number of the shacks were deserted by Wednesday, other residents said they were staying.

Ezekiel Moshla, whose shack fronted the river, said: ”If my blankets are not wet, I don’t have to move”.

Gladys Ramano said she was staying as there was no place for her to move to.

Emergency services in the area remained on high alert.

Also on Wednesday, the City of Tshwane said it was assessing whether Plastic View residents needed to be evacuated following flooding.

City spokesperson Console Tleane said the municipality was considering whether the place was habitable and if it was not, what alternative arrangements could be made.

He said that water levels in Montana and Montana Gardens were rising.

”A few houses have been affected,” Tleane said, adding that a plot in Doornpoort had also experienced flooding. Also in Doornpoort, a low water bridge was swept away during heavy rain.

”No injuries have been reported and no vehicles were damaged in the incident,” he said.

Seven streets in the city had also been closed due to the weather. Willem Cruywagen Drive was closed at Sylvia Street in Pretoria North while Dr van der Merwe road between Zambezi and Airport road was also closed.

Atterbury road was also closed between McKenzie and the N1.

However, the weather service had good news, saying Wednesday was the last day heavy rains were expected in Limpopo and Gauteng.

”The worst is over. The heavy rain in Pretoria and Johannesburg has let up and light rain is remaining,” said forecaster Mark Todd.

In Gauteng, he said, localised flooding was still possible even through moderate rain as the ground was saturated over a wide area.

Limpopo had experienced heavy rains throughout the week.

Nevertheless, he said a warmer and drier period was expected in the north east of the country over the next seven days. — Sapa