Call for care in floods

Johannesburg Roads Agency’s managing director Sikhumbuzo Macozoma said in a statement, “Due to recent heavy rains we are urging residents to take extra care when using our roads… slippery roads are life threatening.”

The agency issued these life-saving tips:

For motorists

• Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas, even if the water looks shallow enough to cross.
•  If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
•  Never drive into water that covers the road, you do not know how deep it is or whether the road beneath has been washed away.
•  Reduce speed to avoid vehicle floating.
•  Look out for flooding in highway dips and and on bridges.

For pedestrians

• If there is a flash flood move to higher ground, you cannot outrun a flash flood.
• Keep away from places that are likely to flood such as ditches or dry stream beds.
• Avoid areas where water is flowing rapidly.
• Do not walk into, or near water that goes above your ankles.
• Keep children away from drainage ditches and storm water drains.

To report flash flood-related incidents, contact the City of Joburg call centre on 0860 562 874.