Police in the Uthukela Cluster are appealing to all people crossing streams and rivers, to be safety conscious. This warning comes after a 40-year-old man was swept away and drowned during a flash flood in Weenen recently.

Flash floods are an ever-present risk during the rainy season and many people have no idea how fast that mass of water can move over a large area around rivers and streams. Children and adults have been swept away in flash floods annually and their bodies are often recovered many kilometres away, which indicates the immense force with which water flows.

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One cannot gauge the strength of the water flowing just by looking at it, rather be cautious and do not cross if the water level has increased even slightly.

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The situation of a river can change very quickly during and after rainfall; one minute the water can be flowing normally and the next minute the stream or river can double in size. Unseen danger also lurks beneath the fast flowing water, this can include debris such as tree stumps or branches, which can knock you off your feet or trap you under the water. Slippery and loose rocks can also pose a danger to anyone crossing the river.

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Do not attempt to cross with vehicles since flash floods are known to carry vehicles away too.

Small children should be kept away from rivers and streams and must always be within sight, as it takes only a few seconds for a child to slip into the water and drown.

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