South Africa: Floods to hit Johannesburg

  1. Posted on Friday 20 November 2009 - 13:30
    Mernat
    Image of Mernat
    Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews in Johannesburg, South Africa
    The Johannesburg Emergency Services has warned that there is a strong possibility of floods following the rainy week. A hotline has therefor been set for cases that would require emergency attention.
    flood
    Areas at risk were those around the Klipriver system in Soweto, areas between the West Rand's river system and the northern suburbs, including Dainfern, Diepsloot, Alexandra and Woodmead.

    Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesman Percy Morokane encouraged city residents to pay close attention to weather updates.

    He said low-lying areas have been a challenge in the past and it was expected that they may experience flooding during this rainy weather.

    "We are calling for people who experience problems to call 10177. They must make sure they have a proper evacuation plan should their houses be flooded."

    He said parents should always know where they are children would be at any given time adding that they should also teach their children on the dangers of playing with water.
    "Kids are kids, they may want to experiment with water. Last month we had incidents involving kids. Parents and guardians should regularly talk to children about water safety.

    "Most importantly, people must watch or listen to weather reports for regular updates”.

    Two people were killed in separate incidents related to heavy rains in Port Shepstone on Thursday.

    The SA Weather Service has, meanwhile, dismissed a hoax e-mail circulating indicating that a tropical cyclone hit Durban at 03:30 on Thursday.

    "The South African Weather Service did not issue a tropical cyclone warning, however, there is a warning for heavy rainfall over the region," it said in a statement.

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