The risk of flash flooding in most parts of the country is far from over, warns the South African Weather Service (Saws).

Saws says in a media statement that several provinces have already experienced flooding, which resulted in the loss of lives, due to the summer rainfall season.

“The ground in many of these places remains saturated and rivers and streams are running full. Under such conditions, a flash flood could be triggered quite easily and the public is, therefore, strongly urged to be extra vigilant,” the statement reads.

A cut-off low is developing in the west of the country and, according to Saws, is expected to intensify tomorrow.

“The system will influence weather patterns over most parts of the country during the next five days, resulting in scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers in places. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are likely, starting from the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday… and reaching the Free State, the North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga by Monday,” Saws warns. Hail and lightning can also be expected.

Damage to infrastructure in Gauteng

Flash floods were reported across the West Rand early this morning due to heavy rainfall in the area. According to Krugersdorp News, there were also reports of flooding in various parts of Mogale City and motorists are urged to take caution and make use of alternative routes where possible.

Mogale City’s Emergency Services regional commander Gerhardt Nieuwoudt confirmed that the subway in Luipaardsvlei, the bridge on Robert Broom Drive, Drift Boulevard in Muldersdrift and Amaryllis Street in Rangeview are flooded. Efforts are being made to clear the flooded areas.

Meanwhile, several roads in Roodepoort were flooded by this morning. Roodepoort Record reports that Kilburn Road crumbled beneath two vehicles – as seen in this video:

Houses flooded in Johannesburg

Residents in Lenasia’s Mosquito Valley woke up to their homes flooded this morning, following a heavy downpour in the night.

Rising Sun Lenasia reports that water levels have unexpectedly risen from 06:00 and as a result, the Abu Asvat bridge also had to be closed.