Flood spurs Johannesburg Roads Agency into action in Alexandra
The recent flooding on 12th Avenue has exposed just how careless dumping can clog storm water drains and expose residents to the risk of flooding.
Heavy rains this week left 12th Avenue in Alexandra submerged.
This forced Ward 76 councillor Zandile Olga Mothupi to reach out to Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA), asking them to unclog a storm water drain that had rendered the intersection of 12th Avenue and Cypress Lane impassable.
JRA teams pulled rubble and dirt from the drain, debris residents say is often washed in during downpours when surface water carries litter from the sidewalks. Mothupi also pointed to certain human activities that exacerbates the issues. “Some of our people also dump in the drains, and drains are not meant for foreign things. When it rains, it is going to give us problems.”
Read more: More flooded roads in Alexandra leads to JRA clearing blocked storm water drains
Residents reported more flooding late Monday night, which continued until JRA intervened the following morning.
Prior to the intervention, Mothupi was in the area, assessing the scope of the flood. She described the situation as unbearable for motorists, but Mothupi says the problem extends far beyond a single street. “Half of Alexandra has storm water drain issues.”
She added that ageing infrastructure and limited resources compound the crisis. “With only one jet servicing the entire region, it is a problem. JRA is trying, but they face a high backlog.”
Also read: Flooding crisis persists on Martin Manzi Street
She has urged the agency to adopt a proactive approach, suggesting drains across the ward be cleared at least three times a year. “JRA must also try and push to unclog the storm water drains in and around Alex.”
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