A sudden wind-driven downpour had residents running for cover shortly after 6.30pm last night.  The heavy rain, described by some, as ‘the heaviest we have seen in ages in the area’, was accompanied by hail and  gusts of wind that felled trees.

A large tree crashed down on the post box shelter on Beaconsfield Street.  The evils of everyday littering also came home to roost as the torrent of water rushing down the gutters swept up the discarded litter and dumped it either in the street, or in some, cases up against fences.

The Steenkoolspruit was also turned into a raging river while the rain fell and also deposited large amounts of litter along the banks of the stream. The weatherman has predicted a 40% chain of rain today.