Emergency services on high alert as heavy rain persists

The Disaster and Emergency Management Services and other Ekurhuleni response agencies remain on high alert, ready to attend to calls for assistance, following a warning issued by the SA Weather Services of severe weather in Gauteng.

Weather Services warned that heavy rains will persist until Sunday.

Already the response teams have attended to some areas, including Etwatwa, Daveyton and Tembisa, which were affected by the heavy rain yesterday.

Citizens of Ekurhuleni are advised to take the following steps to prepare, prevent and mitigate the consequences of the heavy rains by:

•    refraining from settling in the low lying areas;

•     using sand sacks to channel flash flood water away from residential structures;

•     digging canals that take water away from residential structures;

•      avoiding crossing any low lying bridges and roads either on foot or in your vehicle;

•     clearing any debris that may block storm water drains next to homes;

•      using plastic or similar material to close the leaking roofs of your properties;

•     advising children not to play in the flash-flood water.

Residents should also ensure that they shelter their pets.

The community can call the following emergency numbers for assistance:

•     10177 (toll free line)

•     112 (cellphone)

•    011 458-0911 (Life Threatening Emergency Line)

•     086 054 3000 (Services Emergency Line)